The Late Terry McDonagh
November 25, 2020
The Seneschalstown squad that won the 1972 Meath SFC. Front l-r: M. Collins, W. Clarke, P. Dixon, J. Clarke, S. McDonagh (mascot), T. Clarke, B. Collins, T. McDonagh. Middle l-r: S. Bowens, S. Carter, M. McCabe, S. Finnegan, T. Finnegan, M. Collins, T. Collins, C. Darby, P. Cromwell, R. McGuirk. Back l-r: A. Kinsella, P. Duggan, S. Byrne, B. Crinion, O. Geraghty, L. Kierans, P. Collins, J. Brien, M. Carter, F. Heskin
Sorry to report the passing of Seneschalstown Keegan Cuo winner, Terry McDonagh.
Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday November 24th, Terry was laid to rest in his native Kentstown.
That Meath Senior Football Championship medal arrived in 1972, the first ever time that the Keegan Cup paid a visit to the Yellow Furze parish. Navan O Mahonys were beaten in a replayed final.
Seneschalstown were perhaps lucky to emerge with a draw but there was no doubting their superiority second time out.
The midfield pairing of big Ollie Geraghty and one Terry McDonagh provided the foundation for this historic success. Geraghty surged forward to hit a series of points while the high fielding, no nonsense Terry created the perfect partnership.
They mastered an O Mahonys duo of Christy Blake, who was later to wear the Meath jersey and a budding future star Joe Cassells.
And what a career Terry McDonagh enjoyed on the playing fields of Meath.
Backtrack to 1963 and there was Terry winning a Meath Minor Championship in the Navan De La Salle colours.The following autumn a Meath Intermediate medal wound its way to the McDonagh household as Walterstown were declared champions with Terry in his customary midfield berth.
Around this time Terry's future father - in - law Billy Boland was heavily involved with neighbours Seneschalstown in an official capacity. And you sinply find it hard to refuse such a powerful in - law when a request to join his club is made.
Off Terry McDonagh went to Seneschalstown and history was to repeat itself in 1967 as a young emerging Seneschastown romped to the same Internediate title. Two intermediate medals with different clubs within a three year span is not bad going indeed.
Seneschalstown and on the back of a successful three times winning Meath Under 21 Championship outfit, made steady annual progress in the senior grade and then came historic 72.
But the expectant haul of more titles in the aftermath failed to materialise. This was in part due to the arrival of a new powerhouse on the Meath football scene in the shape of Summerhill.
Anyway Terry McDonagh switched his allegiances to neighbouring Curragha. and in 1976 played another key role as a Gerry McEntee inspired Nobber were beaten in the Meath Junior A decider.
Terry's son William won a Meath under 12 championshiop medal with Seneschalstown in 1980 and followed this up with an under 14 award two years later. Other sons, Wesley and Darren both played underage and at adult level for the club.
His brother Michael (Maxi) was an outstanding underage footballer, winning a Meath minor championship medal with Walterstown in 1975 and was a sturdy Meath minor the following year.
Due to the present Covid arrangements only a certain few were allowed entrance to Terry's Funeral Mass and burial but people wishing to do so can go onto the RIP website and offer their condolences.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anan.
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