Communities in Donegal and beyond have been shocked by the sad passing of Mickey Sweeney of Creeslough/Letterkenny.
Mickey was part of Donegal’s first Ulster title-winning team in 1972. In the same year, he helped steer St Eunan’s to club championship success.
The talented full-forward was one of Donegal’s youngest senior players, having been called up by Brian McEniff at the age of 19. He played again on the 1976 squad, but a knee injury cut short his GAA career.
Mickey served as a garda in Meath and Leitrim before returning to Donegal stations in the latter years.
He has been remembered as a quiet and unassuming gentleman who was always great company and a pleasure to meet.
A tribute from St. Eunan’s GAA said: “Everyone at the club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mickey Sweeney, Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny. We are grateful now to have had Mickey as a special guest recently – when at Christmas, we celebrated the glorious 1972 Senior Football Championship winning team, of which Mickey was a player. He also represented Donegal. It was a great occasion, and now all the more poignant. Our sympathies extend to all the Sweeney family.”
Obituary Notice: The death has taken place at his home on Thursday 23rd February of Michael Sweeney, Retired Garda, 56 Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny F92 PR2H and formerly from Convent Road, Letterkenny. Deeply missed by son Shane and his wife Grace (Luxembourg), granddaughter Amber, sisters Margaret Judge and her husband Damien (Hawthorn Heights), Breda O’Malley and her husband Eddie (Loughnagin), Maeve Mangan and her husband Malachy (Co. Offaly), Philomena Gallen and her husband Des (Co. Wicklow) and Emer Dunne and her husband Sean (Fernhill), brothers Tom (Glencar) and Frank and his wife Susan (Donegal Town), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours.
Rest in Peace
Removal from The Eternal Light Chapel of Rest, Mountain Top, Letterkenny on Saturday, 25th February, at 5pm going to his late residence. Funeral from there on Monday, 27th February, at 10.30am going to St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny for 11am Requiem Mass which can be viewed on www.churchservices.tv/letterkenny. Interment afterwards to Leck Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Family time from 10pm on Saturday to 2pm on Sunday and on the morning of the funeral please. Rosary both evenings at 9pm.
