The late Hugh McNamara

Thursday 25th April 2024

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Hugh McNamara. Hugh was a former County Footballer making his championship debut in 1951 and being a regular in the Down defence up to the end of the 1957 Championship. 

An outstanding servant to his Club Loughinisland,  as player and administrator, Hugh would then in 1961 manage Newry Shamrocks to win the Down Senior Football Championship, defeating local rivals Mitchels in a Final, which was not played until 1962.

In 1970 Hugh became the first Principal of St Marks High School and from the outset he ensured that Gaelic Games and Gaelic Culture would be at the centre of school life, under the leadership of Hugh McNamara, St Mark's would become the dominant Vocational School in Down, Ulster and on four occasions in Ireland, many of its past pupils would go on to wear the Red and Black. Hugh McNamara encouraged the promotion of Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie, he had a passionate interest in seeing players develop to be the best that they could be, standards were set and a culture of sportsmanship and integrity was encouraged.

In 1985 Hugh chaired what was known as the Newry Football Commission looking at all aspects of Gaelic Games in the area, indeed many of the suggestions made by the commission as to future developments are as relevant today, and still need to be addressed as they were in 1983, he was at all times a man of vision.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his daughters Ann and Grainne, his sons in law, Kevin and Tom, his grandchildren Kelly -Ann, Mark, Peter, Anna, Páraic and the entire family circle. We also extend our condolences to the Gaels of Loughinsland and the School Community of St Marks on the loss of a man who made a difference to the lives of many.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam