ROSCOMMON LEGEND DONIE Shine Snr has died after a battle with illness.
An iconic figure in Roscommon GAA circles, Shine managed his club Clann na nGael to eight Roscommon senior club titles in-a-row when he took over in the late 1980s, as well as six straight Connacht crowns and led them to four All-Ireland club finals.
A true Rossie, he took charge of the county’s senior footballers between 1994 and ’97, while his son Donie helped Roscommon to the All-Ireland minor title in 2006 and the Connacht crown in 2010.
More recently, Shine was known for his role on commentary duty alongside Willie Hegarty on Shannonside Radio.
“There is heartbreak all around the county,” the Roscommon People’s Seamus Duke told MidWest Radio. “People use the word legend (a lot) nowadays, but this was a legend in Roscommon GAA.
“Apart from all those (achievements), he was an absolutely lovely man. He was fantastic company. Many’s a great night I spent in his company. He was an infectious character and he’s a desperate loss to everybody, especially his family.
“As long as he was involved in GAA, Donie Shine was happy.”
Roscommon county board chairman Seamus Sweeney also paid tribute to Shine.
“I’ve known Donie for many years and when I first came on the executive of Roscommon GAA in 2006 Donie was the County Development Officer,” he said in a statement today.
“Donie of course played for and managed Roscommon senior footballers and his beloved Clann na nGael. Donie will forever be associated with the great Clann teams that dominated Roscommon and Connacht football in the 1980’s and 90s.
“I was always impressed by his knowledge of the GAA both county and country wide. I know Donie attended games regardless of who was taking part or where the game was played. He loved the GAA.
“As a parent, he got great pride from all his children and what they did, however I’m sure he took great delight from the All Ireland minor final victory in 2006 when his own son Donie was outstanding and his Clann na nGael club mate David Flynn was captain.
“In more recent years Donie has been the expert voice on Shannonside FM with Willie Hegarty as they commentated on Roscommon football games both club and county. He brought pleasure to thousands as his reasonable assessment of games was seen to be fair and balanced and always well informed.
“To his wife Lil and family, we extend very sincere sympathies and I can truthfully say “Ní bheidh a leithead ann arís! Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam uasal.”
MidWest / SoundCloud
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
