Dan O’Connell (senior) was a long-standing and loyal supporter of Roche Emmets up until his sad passing on Friday, September 17.

A former player, featuring on teams through his underage and early adult years, Dan remained a keen follower of the Faughart Parish club – and remained a regular at first team matches up to very recently.

His brother, Pat, was a consistent member of Roche sides across the late 1960s and into the proceeding decade, later serving on the club committee, fulfilling various capacities.

Dan, himself, took up an active role in Naomh Bríd with his children – Dan (junior), Harry, David, Grace and John – lining out in the Cumann Péile Cuchulainn across various ages.

And when young Dan, Harry and David progressed into the adult ranks at Páirc de Róiste, he regularly got the opportunity to watch his boys form a fifth of the Roche XV.

Perhaps his proudest day (barring the result) came in 2015 when all three took their places in the starting team for the junior championship final against Naomh Fionnbarra.

Seeing Dan at midfield for Louth juniors in the 2017 Leinster decider and Harry at corner-back for the 2008 county minors would also have been highlights.

His final appearance ‘lying across the wall’ came within the past month, at the intermediate team’s loss to Hunterstown Rovers in Roche. Again, the outcome wasn’t favourable, though it was fitting that his three man mountains were in from the start, with Harry the best performer in the royal blue.

May Dan rest in peace – and shout ‘c’mon Roche’ from high in the sky.

The club extends its deepest sympathies to Dan’s wife Angela, sons and daughters Dan, Harry, David, Grace, John and Laura (Flynn), and the wider family circle.

Full funeral arrangements can be found here.