Sunday, 22 December 2019

Another Gentleman of the Media Leaves Us Too Soon


Like many others across West Waterford and beyond I was shocked and saddened to hear this evening of the untimely death of Danny McGrath after a tragic accident.

Danny was one of life’s gentlemen, who was the centre of many events and celebrations held in Dungarvan and across West Waterford, where he captured what was happening with his Camera be it a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Dungarvan or Cappoquin, the turning-on of the Christmas Lights in Dungarvan, the homecoming of a successful team, to an event planned by the McGrath Clan which Danny was heavily involved with and the reporting of activities in Dungarvan and beyond in his Munster Express Column over the past few years.

While to me I knew Danny best through my attendance of Ladies Football Games in Dungarvan or any other venue that Waterford would be playing. Danny at some stage would be a caller into the press box at these games where he would have a word with whoever was reporting on the game taking place. Danny knowing that I had a blog and reporting on Ladies Football on it would often email me after games with a team photo or with photo’s of the players and would give me his full permission to use the same when reporting on the games.

But it was not Ladies Football that Danny had an interest in when it comes to sport. Anybody that knows me that my interest in Rugby is practically nil but it was a sport that Danny loved and I know from those that have an interest in the game that Danny was a regular attendee Musgrave Park in Cork, Thomand Park in Limerick, the Aviva in Dublin or other venues where Munster or Ireland were playing along with his camera.

Also a fan of Athletics down the years he was someone that attended many Athletic meetings from a local level right up to elite level where the very best athletes took part in the Olympic Games.

Sadly over the years a number of those that I have worked alongside when it comes to the media are no longer with us. Men like Seamus O’Brien, Johnny Murphy, Tony Mansfield and Rory Wyley were absolute gentlemen in my eyes. Now sadly Danny has joined them.  

To Danny’s partner Lijana, his daughter Olivia who Danny adored, his extended family so many of us are thinking of you at this difficult time for you, especially at this time of the year when ye are told there is so much to be joyful and happy about.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

May Dan’s gentle soul Rest In Peace and may his family find the strength to cope with this devastation.My Deepest Sympathy to Lijana, Olivia  

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