Death of Dunsany GFC stalwart, Michael Smith

The death has occurred of Dunsany GFC stalwart, Michael Smith.

Aged 76, he died peacefully at his Clavinstown home in the early hours of this morning, having been ill for some time.

A member of the Smith family of Killeen, he was part of Dunsany’s first ever team to field in 1963, and served the club in every capacity since, from player to official to groundsman, best known for his decades long tenure as club treasurer. He received the club’s Hall of Fame award in 2011.

An Irish Army veteran, he served with the peacekeeping mission to Cyprus, and spent his main working career as a mechanic in Tara Mines in Navan.

A keen local historian, Michael was one of the collaborators on a centenary history of Dunsany Parish and Church in 1994.

Married to Ann Walsh from Batterjohn, Kiltale, he is father of Grainne and Brian, father-in-law of Michael and Jon, and grandfather of Sarah, Grace, Anna and Dan.

Son of the late Christy and Mollie Smith, he was predeceased by his brothers, Christopher and Francis, and sisters, Vera Mulroy and Carmel McMahon; and is also survived by his brothers, David, Dermot and Noel, aunt Patsy Teeling, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.

Michael's Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 11am in the Church of the Assumption, Dunsany followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. (Please note that in the interest of public safety numbers in the Church will be restricted to a maximum of one hundred people). Those unable to attend can follow the Funeral Mass at http://www.youtube.com/user/finnegandvd

Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to Meath Palliative Care https://www.togetherforhospice.ie/donate/ or the Irish Cancer Society https://www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/donate/donate