The late Michael Smith, Drumbo

The late Michael Smith, Drumbo, Cavan, who passed away recently after a long illness, was an outstanding footballer in his younger days giving sterling service to title winning Drumalee sides, with his half back displays earning the admiration of football followers throughout Co. Cavan. Quiet spoken and friendly he and his brother, Peter, travelled to inter county football games throughout the length and breadth of Ireland in which his beloved Cavan were playing. A loyal supporter over many decades he is another loss from the ranks of those dedicated followers of Cavan who turn out to cheer on their county team in all weathers, no matter what the distance involved. Born in Cullies in 1942 Michael was one of a family of nine children of the late Paddy and Mary Smith. He attended Drumcrave national school and from an early age displayed a keen interest in sport. He was selected for under age sides including St. Felim's which was an amalgamation of Drumcrave, Killygarry and Crubany. They acquitted themselves with considerable distinction at that time. He started playing for the senior Drumalee side when he was just 16, and a year later was selected for the Co. Cavan Minor panel. However, he also had a tremendous love of handball and participation in the latter at that particular time in his life diverted his attention from what would otherwise have been a successful tenure as a county minor. His love of football, nevertheless, soon won through and over a long playing career he made a huge contribution to Drumalee and to Cavan club football. He was on the 1964 side that won the league and again was a stalwart on the 1967 side beaten by Lacken in the final. Drumalee were a real force in Cavan club football during the 1960s and Michael was on the famed 1969 side which performed the unique double of winning the league and Intermediate Championship and also capturing the John Joe O'Reilly tournament. His brother, Tommy, was also on that history making side. He continued to have a huge input into the fortunes of Drumalee in the succeeding years and was captain of the side that won the Junior B Championship in 1974. Ballymachugh were their opponents in the final on that occasion. Michael was well liked and respected. On leaving school he joined Sheridan's the poultry merchants where his brother, Peter, also worked. He remained with them throughout the succeeding decades and was regarded as a hard working and reliable employee. Much loved by all his family Michael is survived by his brothers, Sean, (Drumbo), Paddy (Lavey), Peter, (Drumbo), Tommy (Redhills); sisters Mrs. Susan Smith (Mountnugent), Mrs. Maisie Harte, (Castlerahan), Mrs. Kathleen Fay (Cootehill) and Mrs. Margaret McQuaid, (Drumbo). There was a large attendance at both Michael's removal and funeral with members of Drumalee GFC providing a guard of honour for the hearse as it travelled from Drumalee Cross to the Cathedral on the evening of the removal. Father Ultan McGoohan, CC, was celebrant of the requiem Mass and paid tribute to the wonderful gifts of happiness that Michael brought to his own family and to all lovers of Gaelic football in the county. Interment was in Cullies cemetery. For more obituaries, see this week's Anglo-Celt.