Dr Pat O’Neill – RIP

Ulster Schools GAA is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Pat O’Neill, the oldest living MacRory Cup captain.

Born in Keady in 1929, he won three MacRory Cup medals (1944-46) with St Patrick’s Armagh, and captained the team in 1946 when they went on to defeat St Jarlath’s Tuam to win the first ever Hogan Cup.
At the age 21 he captained Armagh to an Ulster Senior Championship in 1950, and was centre half back in the All Ireland final of 1953 when Armagh lost to Kerry by 0-13 to 1-6; he was the last surviving member of that team!
His medical career as a GP saw him move to Omagh where he won 3 senior championship medals with the local St Enda’s, and he won 2 more Ulster Senior medals with Tyrone in 1956 and 1957.

Dr O’Neill was a guest at the centenary MacRory Cup Final in 2024, when he was introduced to the crowd before the game, and presented the match ball to the referee. On Sunday past (15th March) he attended Sunday Mass as usual in Drumragh, and watched the Roscommon v Donegal match in the afternoon, once again expressing his approval of the new playing rules. Later in the evening he became unwell.

He retained his abiding interest in Gaelic games across more than 8 decades; his illustrious playing career spanned 3 decades wherein he starred at colleges, club and county levels. In addition, and equally if not more importantly, Pat O’Neill was universally revered as a gentleman both on and off the field.

Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam uasal Gaelach.

funeraltimes.com/drpatoneill