The calls became a little more infrequent of late, until finally they stopped.
One of Donegal’s best-known GAA supporters, Dessie Kelly, Castlefin passed away suddenly on Thursday afternoon following a short illness. He celebrated his 80th birthday in May.
The news came like a jolt.
Like many Gaelic Games correspondents, administrators and supporters, the phonecalls from Dessie were as regular as clockwork to this writer over the years.
The late Dessie Kelly
Particularly on Sunday evenings after a big match, Dessie would be on to dissect the game’s happenings in minute detail or, in the days when the press were permitted to attend county committee meetings, Dessie would be keen to get the lowdown.
As a former Chairman and Secretary of the Donegal Referees Board, Dessie would take a particular interest in the performance of the referee.
In his time as a referee, Dessie refereed the 1972 Donegal senior football championship final, in which St Eunan’s defeated Clanna Gael 1-12 to 1-9.
Among other roles, he was the Castlefin delegate to the Donegal county committee and served as the County Minor Registrar for a time.
In the late 1970s, he was joint manager of the Donegal Under-21 team with Ambrose Given.
“It’s very sad for the family and for the wider GAA community,” said the Donegal County Board Chairman Sean Dunnion.
“Dessie was a familiar face, not just at MacCumhaill Park or O’Donnell Park, but at all grounds across Donegal. He had a great interest not just in county football, but in county football and schools football too.
“In later life, it became more difficult for him to get to games, but he had the interest right to the bitter end. He was a great Gael and he was GAA through and through.”
Indeed, Dessie retained his passion and grá for Gaelic football right up to his passing on Thursday.
He had plenty of forthright views and was never afraid to air them, be they to officials or fellow supporters.
The last conversation I had with Dessie was between the resignation of Rory Gallagher and the appointment of Declan Bonner as Donegal manager.
‘Well, young fella,’ came the familiar greeting at the other end and there followed a lengthy discussion about Donegal’s fortune and future.
Little did I realise at the time it would be the last time I’d hear from him.
It wasn’t just the football talk that interested him; he’d take an interest in the personal stuff, the festivities and the families, too. Advice, too, was given regularly, be it in a professional or a private capacity.
I got the news relayed on Thursday while traveling to the Donegal SFC final press call in Donegal town – it was just the sort of night you could have expected a call. ‘Any craic at it?’ would have been the scene-setter for conversation well into the night.
Dessie’s love of the GAA was expansive and he traveled far and wide to games at all levels, while he was a trojan fundraiser and raised huge sums for Donegal GAA and several clubs in the county.
I traveled with Dessie to games across Ulster, most especially at schools level, where Maghera, Garvaghy, Omagh, Enniskillen, Irvinestown and Castlederg would have been regular destinations, regardless of the weather.
Dessie was known across the province and beyond; his knowledge was almost encyclopaedic and the mind was as sharp as could be.
The biggest loss will be felt by his family, his loving wife Pat, sons Martin and Eugene, daughters Jacinta and Joanne, sister Mary and a wide circle of family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam
Dessie’s remains will repose at his late home at Demesne, Castlefin, from 6pm this evening. Funeral from there on Sunday, October 8, at 10.20am for Mass at 11am in St Mary’s Church, Castlefin. Interment afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Castlefin. Donations in lieu of flowers please to Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital or The Donegal Hospice c/o any family member.
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