The late Dan Bonner.
THE funeral took place on Monday of former Donegal footballer Dan Bonner.
Dan (87) passed away peacefully at his home at Derryhinney, Doochary on Saturday.
Dan played for Donegal between 1947 and 1953 and played senior championship for the county in 1949 and 1950.
He was a member of the last two Dungloe teams to win the Donegal senior football championship, playing on the teams of 1957 and 1958 which won back-to-back Dr Maguire Cups. His son, Declan, played on the All-Ireland winning Donegal team in 1992.
Monday’s Mass was celebrated by Fr Aodhan Cannon. Also present were Fr John Joe Duffy, Fr Eddie Gallagher and an tAth Seán Ó Gallchóir.
Fr Cannon remembered a ‘loyal family man for whom faith was very important’. A former employee of Donegal County Council, Dan lived in Scotland for a time before moving back to Doochary in the 1940s.
He was fond of literature and watched Countdown daily. GAA was his passion and this was reflected at the attendance at both the wake and Monday’s funeral at St Conal’s Church.
Dan’s coffin was draped in the jersies of the Dungloe and Na Rossa, while members of CLG Na Rossa formed a guard of honour at the Church and at the cemetery.
Among the attendance at Monday’s funeral were Brian McEniff, Donegal’s All-Ireland winning manager from 1992 and members of that squad including Tony Boyle, Barry McGowan and Charlie Mulgrew, as well as Donegal Co Board vice-chairman Danny McNamee and former Donegal player Brendan Devenney.
Dan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bridie, and sons Sean, Michael, Declan, Donal and Aidan.
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