The Late Marty Lynch

Monday 15th May 2023

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death our former county footballer Marty Lynch.

Marty fought a courageous fight against motor neurone disease, and we had been delighted when he joined us a few short weeks ago at Páirc Esler when Down defeated Donegal in the Ulster Senior Championship.

Marty grew up as one of the outstanding players on a golden generation of Mitchels underage teams, ironically defeated for the first and only occasion by Newry Shamrocks in the County Minor Final of 1981.

Marty would go on to captain Down to win the Ulster Under 21 title in Centenary Year. Indeed when the game was going against Down 'it was their inspirational captain Martin Lynch at centre half back who drove his team forward'. Cork would win in the All-Ireland semi-final, but Marty Lynch would also make his senior debut in the Ulster championship of 1984 and play Senior Championship again in 1985.

Marty gave his heart and soul to every game that he played, for Newry Mitchels or in later time for St John Bosco. For Marty, every game had to be played with intensity, passion and a desire to win.

A man taken to soon from us, he wore his heart on his sleeve as a proud Down man. 

We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to his wife Rosaleen, sons Kenneth and Ryan, his grandchildren and wider family. We think too of the Gaels of Newry Mitchels and St John Bosco at this sad time.