Kilruane MacDonaghs mourn the passing of club stalwart John Lawlor

The parish of Kilruane is in mourning this week following the death of John Lawlor, Kilruane, father of journalist and author Damian.

John, a proud Kilruane MacDonagh man, served as a selector and secretary with the club for a number of years.

He was MacDonaghs secretary, 1993-2000; North Board delegate, 1993-2005; intermediate selector 1988/89; minor selector, 1989; junior selector, 1990/91

The death has taken place of John Lawlor (1933-2019) - father of well-known Journalist Damian Lawlor

MacDonaghs Secretary 1993-2000
North Board Delegate 1993-2005
Intermediate Selector 1988/89
Minor Selector 1989
Junior Selector 1990/91

Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a anam uasal pic.twitter.com/MM9nPbez4D

— Kilruane MacDonaghs (@MacDonaghsGAA) June 18, 2019

Tributes were paid on social media to Mr Lawlor,with Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol describing Mr Lawlor as "one of the greatest Gaels North Tipp has seen; a lifetime of service given to our games."

Mark O'Leary of Irish Web HQ, said: "Sad, sad news, a lovely man and a great hurling man and worker for Kilruane MacDonaghs. Got many a lift to a juvenile match with John and he always had time for a chat with everyone."

Deputy Alan Kelly described Mr Lawlor as a "gentleman".

Mr Lawlor, who died peacefully surrounded by his cherished family, is predeceased by his beloved baby daughter Elizabeth.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary; sons Damian, Sean and David; daughter Collette; grandchildren Jamie, Chloe, Aaron, Erin, Siun, Aodhan and Aoibhe; son-in-law Eoin; daughters-in-law Ruth, Janice and Julieann; sisters-in-law Rita and Anna; brother-in-law Michael; nephews and nieces, relatives, cousins, neighbours and friends.

 Reposing at Ryans Funeral Home, Nenagh this Wednesday from 4pm, with removal at 7pm to arrive to SS Michael and John's Church, Cloughjordan at 8pm. Requiem Mass on Thursday, June 20, at 11am, followed by burial in Grawn Graveyard.

Damian is the author of Fields of Fire: The Inside Story Of Hurling’s Great Renaissance in Croke Park; I Crossed the Line – the Liam Dunne Story; Working on a Dream – A Year on the Road with the Waterford Footballers, and All In My Head, Lar Corbett’s Autobiography.