Donal Culligan was one of our greatest ever players

DROGHEDA lost another of its famed footballing sons on Sunday last with the death of Donal Culligan, Craoibhin Terrace: North Road at the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

A soccer player of note, he was one of the first juniors to be elevated to the Drogheda team following their admission to the League of Ireland in 1963, breaking into the team in 1967 and enjoying a major role in their cup campaign of that season.

Following a 1-1 draw with non league Bridewell in Drogheda, the side travelled down to Turners Cross in Cork for the replay only to find the game called off due to the weather.

But they returned to the venue the following Wednesday and United were to make no mistake this time. Indeed Donal scored in the 3-0 replay win, playing at left half. The side then went on to beat Bohemians by 3-0 after losing 6-1 to the same opposition just weeks previously. It all went wrong in the semi-final with St Pat’s, Drogheda losing 1-0.

That goal against Bridewell sandwiched between efforts by Billy Kidd and Leo O’Reilly, was the one and only FAI Cup goal Donal scored with the club, the same number as greats including Thee Dunne, Mick Cooke, Mick Fairclough and Ray Treacy who also wore the Boynesidc colours.

Donal entered the Drogheda scene around the same time as Tommy Byrne and was a popular figure in his couple of years on the scene, well respected for his efforts in the old No.6 jersey.

Donal finished his career in the colours of his other big love, Boyne Rovers.

Donal was a former employee of Hauni until its closure in 1975.