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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Vincent Whelan

Donegal GAA legend loses sister and father within hours in double tragedy

Donegal GAA great Brendan Devenney has tragically lost his sister Margaret and father Patrick within hours of each other.

The family's parish of Newtowncunningham has been thrust into a state of shock at the double tragedy.

Patrick Devenney passed away in a hospice on Wednesday following a long battle with illness.

READ MORE: Two of Westmeath's greatest ever players lined up to take charge of county team

Patrick Devenney (rip.ie)

But that initial loss of such a senior and well-known figure in the family and the wider community was compounded by the sudden death of his daughter Margaret on Thursday.

It's been confirmed that they will now be buried in a joint-funeral on Saturday.

Tributes have poured in for both members of the Devenney family in the hours since their sad passing.

St Eunan's GAA Club in Letterkenny, where Margaret's children play, issued a heartbreaking statement in the wake of hearing the sad news.

A spokesperson said: "We will sorely miss you Margaret - along with your smile and warmth which greeted so many of us when we were fortunate enough to meet you."

Naomh Colmcille CLG meanwhile spoke highly of Patrick on Wednesday night, who was labelled 'a great clubman.'

The club wrote: "It’s with huge regret we learned the sad news today about the passing of Patrick Devenney our past player, trainer, assistant manager and right up to his death a lotto seller and all round great clubman.

"He loved watching his grandchildren play and could be seen on the sideline at most of their games and it’s a loss to us all and so sad we won’t see him there again.

"RIP Patrick, you will be sadly missed."

Lac Juveniles Athletics club also expressed its condolences to the heartbroken family upon hearing of Margaret's death.

They said: "There are no words, we are utterly devastated as a club and a Community to hear of the sad passing of our Juvenile Coach Mags (Margaret ) Sullivan(Devenney). May she rest in peace.

"Our Sympathy to her husband Eugene , our juvenile members Ethan and Molly and Condolences to all the Devenney and Sullivan families at this sad time.

"May Margaret and her dad Patrick, R.I.P.

"Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

The pair will be laid to rest on Saturday afternoon at the All Saints Church in Newtowncunningham after a funeral mass at noon.

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