The death has been announced of Donal Enright R.I.P a former Secretary of the Club who served during the golden era of Shamrock Under Age successes in the early 1960’s.
Donal, a nonagenarian at the time of his death, was a native of Currabinny, where he grew up. The Enright’s had long links with Shamrocks and were very prominent in the early years of the Club. His Uncle, Jimmy had a forge in Shanbally, where he shod horses and made gates and other ancillary items for the farming community.
A very popular member of the Club, he was part of the group who arranged the purchase of our present day pitch in 1963. He drove a Volkswagen car and it was always packed with players going to games. In those days Mick Walsh was Chairman and Ted Hanley was Vice-Chairman and it can be said that much worthwhile work was done then to move the Club progressively into the future.
Donal lived in ‘Villa Pio’ at Monkstown. He later went on to be a huge promoter and advocate of the cause of Padre Pio the famous Italian Stigmatist Capuchin Friar. He visited Padre Pio, long before there were good travel arrangements to access the Monastery. Donal travelled the length and breath of the Country speaking about this unique and much admired Capuchin Priest.
A book was written about Donal’s exploits and his work for Padre Pio and the many fascinating experiences he encountered have been recorded therein.
We mourn his passing and extend our deepest sympathy to his sons Pio, Gerard and Donal, daughter Alessia, and grandchildren and many relatives and friends.
Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dilis.
