Father of tragic Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen has…

Father of tragic Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen has died as tributes are paid

The father of tragic Tyrone GAA star Cormac McAnallen has died, it has been announced.

Brendan McAnallen, 77, passed away peacefully at his home in The Brantry, Eglish, Co Tyrone on Thursday morning, August 4 following an illness.

A well-known businessman and historian in the local area, Mr McAnallen owned the Spar store in the village of Benburb as well as the pub which he bought in 2007 and renamed it The Bottle of Benburb, a name suggested by his late son Cormac.

Born in 1945, Mr McAnallen set up the successful interior construction company ArdMac in 1977 along with his brothers Kevin and Sean and over the years have had offices in Craigavon, Dundalk and Dublin.

A keen historian, he was a founding member of the Branty BARD community development association in 1983 along with his wife Bridget. In 1985 he also established O'Neill Country Historical society, and was an ever-present member on the committee since its inception.

Mr McAnallen was also the driving force behind the Eglish Historical Society which produced a 500-page book of Eglish in 2011 and he also designed the Eglish Heritage Trails.

Paying tribute to their founding member, a spokesperson for the O'Neill Country Historical society said in a statement: "It is with deep regret that we learned of the passing of Brendan McAnallen this morning. Brendan was the founding member, that set up the O'Neill Country Historical Society back in 1985, a family man, founder of The Cormac Trust, businessman and Historian he will be sadly missed by us all, we offer our sympathies to his family Bridget and to his sons Donal and Fergus, his daughter-in-law Pauline and grandchildren and friends."

Following the sudden passing of his son, Tyrone GAA captain Cormac, at the age of 24, the McAnallen family led by Brendan campaigned tirelessly for awareness around SADs (sudden arrhythmic death syndrome) establishing The Cormac Trust in his memory.

Paying tribute to Mr McAnallen, Community First Responders in Armagh and Tyrone said he was a 'driving force in the concept of the community group.

Cormac McAnallen lifts the Sam Maguire Cup in 2003 (Image: ©INPHO/Patrick Bolger)

They said: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Mr Brendan McAnallen, Tullygiven, Brantry.

"Brendan was a major driving force in the concept and formulation of Community first responders Armagh and Tyrone. The McAnallen family had suffered the loss of their beloved son Cormac owing to SADS or "Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome" It was thought at the time that if a trained person with a defibrillator had have been on hand then the outcome for Cormac may have been better.

"Brendan worked tirelessly to improve access to heart condition diagnostic tests and formed The Cormac trust which raised huge amounts of money to supply sporting clubs and venues with defibrillators, all of which has saved many lives throughout the Island of Ireland .

"We at CFRA&T will always remember Brendan as a kind, generous and compassionate gentleman. May he rest in peace."

L to R, Cormac McAnallen's mother Bridget, Micheal O Muircheartaigh and Cormac's father Brendan from the Cormac Trust in conjunction with the Mater Foundation, pictured at a memorial event to remember the victims of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) at the Heart House at the Mater Hospital. (Image: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland)