Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Eamonn O'Toole a former County Chairperson and father of our County Head of Games, Conor O'Toole.
Eamonn was elected County Chairman in 1999 and would become the first Chairperson since George Tinnelly to serve for a five year term, during his term as Chairman, Eamonn had the honour of overseeing the centenary celebrations of the County Committee in 2003.
Eamonn was a man never afraid of a challenge and as County Chairperson he showed leadership in guiding Down through the debate on Rule 21 in 2001, when the Down County Committee voted to remove Rule 21 from the Official Guide. A decision that showed leadership and vision and Eamonn O'Toole had both, it was never for Eamonn about the local issues, it was always about the greater good of the Association.
He also oversaw the continued development of Páirc Esler ensuring that work on the Stand would commence, wanting to deliver facilities that we in Down could be proud of and in true Eamonn fashion he delivered on the task that he set out to achieve, he may have gone from Office when the works were completed, but he had laid the foundations for it to happen. His work was also recognised nationally as he became a key member of the National Finance Committee, assisting other counties with this wealth of experience, in the GAA and in work.
Eamonn had a long association with the County Committee first being a member of the County Committee as far back as 1972 when he was asked to coordinate the Down promotion of the National Development Fund.
Eamonn would go on to serve in many roles at County level, firstly as a Down Delegate to Ulster Council in the 1970s, and span the decades acting as County Development Officer, County Vice Chairperson and then the honour of being County Chairperson to guide us into the new millennium. He was a man whose wise consul was valued by Clubs and County Officers. He was passionate about our Games and was an astute reader of our games, acting in the 1970's as a County Minor and Under 21 Selector many future Down Senior Footballers were given their first opportunity to play County Football by Eamonn O'Toole. It was that experience on the sideline for Club and for County, that gave Eamonn a great empathy with Team Managements in his time as County Chairperson, he understood the loneliness that standing on a sideline sometimes can bring and he was a supportive voice and a listening ear in his time in leadership.
Eamonn had a great passion for hurling as well, he wanted to see Down successful again and on Sunday past, Eamonn O'Toole would have been so pleased with the win in Tralee and promotion to Division One B, for he was always supportive of those promoting our ancient game, Leinster Finals too were a big day out for Eamonn over the years and an admiration for the great Kilkenny teams.
Eamonn was a man of stature, he loved to engage in Conversation and if you were exiting a game or a meeting, you knew Eamonn was in conclave, as a cloud of Cigar smoke billowed into the air, he was a leader when Down GAA needed leadership and we will always be grateful for the commitment and dedication shown to the County by Eamonn. He was a very proud family man, and when his son Conor came to take on the role of Games Development Manager, Eamonn was a very happy man, for now the baton of service to Down GAA that he had first carried in the 1970's was passed on to the next generation, he was never interfering but always supportive and as always only wanting the best for Down, equally too there was pride that his son in law Ciaran Meenagh should join the Down Senior Football Management Team.
For his Club Loughinisland, Eamonn was a leader, he was an administrator and a Team Manager, the purchase of the Club Grounds and the development of the youth Club exemplified once again the vision that Eamonn O'Toole had for his Club and his community and it was fitting that in recent years Eamonn would become Club President. He was always there for his Club and his wise consul was valued by many, for Loughinisland, Eamonn was there in good days and bad, he had pride in his place and the name O'Toole will always be synonymous with the Blue of Loughinisland.
We in Down GAA are proud to have had Eamonn O'Toole in our ranks, he was a man who always gave of his best, he had time for people and he had great belief in our youth, Eamonn O'Toole was one of our own, he only ever wanted to give of his time and his skills to ensure that Down GAA and all of its parts could be the best in Ireland in whatever we tried to do.
He sought no personal glory or recognition, a win on the field in football or hurling was what gave Eamonn most joy, a Club growing and developing brought satisfaction for him and closest to home his children and his grandchildren and their love for Gaelic Games were his pride and joy.
We extend our deepest Sympathy to his children Siobhan, Orla, Conor, Aisling, Cormac, Eimear, his Sons-in-law & Daughters-in-law, his grandchildren Dearbhaile, Aine, Aoibhe, Lorcan, Damhan, Conor, Niamh, Noah, Jamie, Coran, Conan, Annie, Fionnbarr, Clodagh, Nia; his sisters and brothers, Maureen, Ita, Noreen, Hugh, Kieran, and the extended O'Toole Family.
We remember too Eamonn's late wife Mary. To the Gaels of Loughinisland we offer our condolences on the loss of your Club President and a man who was so much a part of the Club and the Community.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Funeral Arrangements for Eamonn
Funeral from his late residence, 57 Drumgooland Road, Loughinisland on Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 11.30am for 12 noon Requiem Mass in St Macartan's Church, Loughinisland. Interment afterwards in the adjoining Cemetery.
