Sean Mulryan
20th Febuary, 2011 – St. Enda’s lost a former footballing great this week with the passing of Sean Mulryan. A stalwart of the 60’s, Sean was a tenacious defender on the 1963 Omagh senior team which won the O’Neill Cup after defeating Galbally and he was also a key member of the side which won the St. Enda Cup in 1964. A brother of another great St. Enda’s star, Joe, who also starred on those teams, Sean was laid to rest following Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Killyclogher today. Sympathy is extended to his family.
The following Obituary appeared in the Ulster Herald on the 10th March, 2011.
THE late Sean Mulryan was born in the townland of Knockaraven, Dromore on February 23, 1940, the second eldest son of Edmund and Mary Mulryan and brother of Joe, Leo and Gerry. His early education was received at St Dympna’s Primary School, Dromore and then he moved from Dromore to Omagh in 1947 to attend the Christian Brothers Primary School.
Shortly after this Sean’s family moved to Tattysallagh where he completed his primary education at the local primary school. A spell at Omagh Technical College preceeded his commencement of employment at various farms throughout the Clanabogan, Tattysallagh and Tattykeel areas.
In 1954 the family moved to Hunters Crescent where he settled down to work at a variety of jobs including milk-man, lorry driver and aerial rigger. He also spent a period of time in Girvan, Scotland, working in hotels in a variety of positions.
During this period of Sean’s life he, along with his brother Joe, became actively involved with the local St Enda’s GAA club’s underage teams where he enjoyed great success eventually culminating in the StEnda’s team capturing the Tyrone Senior County Championship title in 1963.
But working and football wasn’t all that Sean was good at as he took the time to meet and eventually marry his wife of 49 years, Noreen Donaghy. They newly married couple then moved to Derry for a period of three years eventually returning to O’Kane Park in Omagh where they began to rear their family of ten girls (one deceased) and one boy.
In 1977 the family moved to Slievecoole Park when Sean began working with a variety of TV repair companies. This eventually led him into the world of electrical contracting and repairs where he spentmany years working throughout Ireland. Throughout all this time Sean’s family remained the centre of his life and he worked tirelessly to provide a caring and loving home modelled on strong family values underpinned by a firm Christian faith.
Sean was a deep devotee of Saint Padre Pio and was a regular visitor to the Marian Shrine in Knock and Tobernalt Holy Well in Sligo. The passing of years witnessed the marriages of Sean’s children and the arrival of every single one of his 27 grandchildren and five great grandchildren was a cause of enormous pride and celebration for Sean and Noreen. However, any notion that Sean may have had of moving blissfully into a state of semi-retirement was tempered with the reality of being a full time taxi-driver, handyman and general helper for his brood of children, grandchildren and many friends.
Indeed Sean was a genius when it came to being able to mend and fix a multitude of items and he was renowned for his capacity for logical thinking and ‘studying’ a particular solution to any job. He would never give up on anything and in the fullness of time would always come up with a solution to any problem presented to him.
His prowess on the ‘draughts’ board was legendary and was only matched by his uncanny ‘luck’ while playing cards. Sean loved nothing more than visiting the very many scenic spots around Donegal and Sligo and spent many happy times travelling along obscure back roads discovering the natural beauty of our countryside well off the beaten track. He loved the guided bus tours of Ireland when he was very happy to be able to sit back and fully enjoy the company of others while being transported round the many scenic counties of Ireland at his ease.
However, during the final year of Sean’s life ill health began to take its toll and he eventually passed away peacefully in the company of his entire family, aged 70 years, in Tyrone County Hospital on Sunday, February 20, 2011. Sean is fondly remembered and deeply missed by his wife Noreen, son Padraig, daughters,Carol, Geraldine, Teresa, Joan, Shauna, Angela, Mena, Josie, Marie-Louise, his brothers Joe and Leo, sons-in-law, daughter in law, the wider family circle and his many friends in Omagh, Killyclogher, Dromore and Liverpool.
May he rest In peace.
