Melvin Gaels pay tribute after passing of their title winning manager Sean Boyle

Melvin Gaels GAA club have paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sean Boyle who led the Kinlough men to an historic Leitrim Senior Championship title in 1998 after their former manager passed away suddenly last Sunday.

The 64-year-old was the inspirational manager who brought a young, swash buckling Melvin Gaels title to their first Fenagh Cup in 35 years in 1998 when they beat Sean O’Heslins in the final.

In their tribute posted on Social media, Melvin Gaels GAA Club said “There were dark clouds in the sky yesterday morning (Sunday) over Kinlough and these were matched at the same time with the dark news that broke among the local community of the sudden passing of Sean Boyle.

The late Sean Boyle.

“Winning championships is not easy but Sean showed the way. He had a laid back approach but took his football very seriously and many of his past players from that team have spoken of their respect and admiration for Sean and the manner in which he led them to the highest level.”

Boyle, who played Minor and U21 football for Donegal, was captain of the first ever Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon U14 winning team in 1972 and three years later he was corner-forward on the St Joseph's team that won the 1975 county senior championship and a year later was part of the side that won Donegal and Ulster senior club championships.

He would still be playing his part when Aodh Ruadh made a comeback in 1986 and 1987, winning county senior titles. After his playing days, Sean went on to manage the Ballyshannon club and was at the helm when they won again at senior level in 1994.

Melvin Gaels GAA Club tribute
There were dark clouds in the sky yesterday morning (Sunday) over Kinlough and these were matched at the same time with the dark news that broke among the local community of the sudden passing of Sean Boyle.

To many people Sean was many things. His footballing prowess was widely known in the locality and indeed nationwide. Sean was a born winner and a born leader.

His footballing skills brought him huge success on the field of play at underage and then at Senior level with St. Joseph’s (a Senior Club Championship and an Ulster Club Title) and with Aodh Ruadh (Senior Club County Championships in 1986 and 1987 and later as manager in 1994) and also playing with Donegal at minor and U21 level. A CV indeed too long to write about. He had pace to burn and skills to match.

There has been widespread shock expressed by his playing colleagues and footballing friends alike and he has left a fantastic legacy behind him in Ballyshannon and beyond.

Of course for us in Melvin Gaels, in 1998, Sean brought us back to the promised land guiding us as manager to our first Senior Club County title in 35 years bringing so much joy to the club and community. Winning championships is not easy but Sean showed the way.

He had a laid back approach but took his football very seriously and many of his past players from that team have spoken of their respect and admiration for Sean and the manner in which he led them to the highest level.

His connection to the club is very real even to this day. He started a red headed lad from Glenade the following year, in 1999, and little did he know, that particular lad would later become his son-in-law.

Peter McGloin is now proudly representing the club as Chairman and of course recently winning a Junior Club Championship.

Hopefully Sean’s grandchildren - Micheál, Cormac and Eimear - will someday carry on the same family tradition in years to come.

Football aside, and most importantly of all, Sean will be greatly missed and loved always by his daughters Rhona & Nicola and son Anthony, their mother Angela and his remaining grandchildren, AJ, Catie, Liam and Richard and all of his extended family and friends.

Go n-imreoidh tú peil aris i bhflaitheas Dé. Suaimhneas síoraí go raibh agat a Sheáin

Funeral arrangements
The death has occurred of Sean Boyle, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. Suddenly. Sadly missed by his son Anthony (Louise), daughters Nicola (Mark) and Rhona (Peter) their mother Angela, grandchildren AJ, Catie, Micheál, Cormac, Liam, Richard and Eimear. Predeceased by his brother Packie and sadly missed by his sisters Anne, Mai and brother Louis, nieces, nephews and all his extended family and his wide circle of friends.
Reposing at John McGee & Sons Funeral Home, Belleek Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, F94ED21, on Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. Removal from his late residence, Creevy, Ballyshannon on Thursday morning at 10.30am going to St. Patrick's Church, Ballyshannon for 11am funeral mass with burial afterwards in the Abbey Cemetery. House Private at all time please. Family flowers only please.