Tributes paid to a great sportsman Mark Rooney who died at weekend
TRIBUTES have been paid to 38 year old Mark Rooney who passed away last Saturday after a long illness.
The late Mr Rooney was a keen sportsman all his life, playing soccer, GAA and gaelic football for a variety of clubs including Strand Celtic, Manor Rangers, Sligo Rovers, St Mary’s and Glencar Manorhamilton.
County Sligo Golf Club dedicated their fifth AIG Senior Cup win on Saturday to Mr Rooney who passed away just a few hours later.
Team members had been in close contact with Mark throughout the campaign, some even writing his initials on their golf gloves as a reminder that they were going to win the final for him yesterday.
During the trophy presentation at Carton House on Saturday afternoon. team captain Shane Flanagan dedicated the club’s 3- 2 win over Castle to the popular family man.
“I’ll just finish by saying there is one person missing from the stand up here, it’s our dear friend and panel member, Mark Rooney and if there were two words that summed up the inspiration behind this victory, they would be ‘ Mark Rooney’. I can assure you all that the first house we will call to when we get back to Sligo will be to see Mark.” Shane explained how highly regarded Mark was amongst his team mates.
“He was in the panel, he was a member of the WhatsApp group and he would be mentioned in every team meeting. And, to be honest, a lot of the lads would have had his initials on their glove. They had the height of regard for him. We all know people like that — people who earn everyone’s respect the right way. He is one of them, a great lad. A super, super guy.”
In a tribute on Facebook, former County player, Johnny Martyn described Mark as one of the nicest men he had met.
“I’ve made alot of good friends down through the years but I’ve met none as brave as Mark Rooney. He was one of the nicest and funniest men you could have met always slagging and joking and he could play a bit to. Even through his illness he found time to visit me in hospital earlier, something I will never forget. you will be an inspiration to me and anybody that ever knew you. RIP Mark.”
Mark, who worked for the ESB, died peacefully at Sligo University Hospital on Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Natalie and family
Sligo/ Leitrim League Secretary Noel Kennedy said: “It is with deep sadness and regret that we send our condolences to Natalie and the boys on the death of a great husband and father. Mark was a great player and indeed all round sports man and always gave 100% on the pitch and indeed in life. To the Rooney and Fagan families and all the relations and friends may we on behalf of the management and clubs express our deepest sympathies at this time.”
Strand Celtic also paid a tribute: “Everyone at the club was saddened to hear of the untimely death of our former player Mark Rooney. Mark played with some of our outstanding teams and was a great player, clubman and person. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
Mark reposed at his home at Lower Road, Glencar on Monday and Tuesday with removal on Wednesday to St Osnat’s Church, Glencar to arrive for 12 noon funeral Mass with cremation afterwards in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.