The death has occurred of Sean Ormonde, (84), who was a stalwart of GAA administration in Wexford and served as County Secretary for eight years having been first elected at County GAA Board Convention in January 1985. He also served as secretary and treasurer of Bórd na nÓg from 1973 to 1977.

Sean was secretary of St. Brigid’s GAA Club, Blackwater in 1959 and served as chairman from 2011 to 2015. He became secretary of Wexford GAA in 1985 when the County Convention was held in the Unyoke Inn to celebrate Blackwater’s involvement with the GAA.

In a statement issued on social media, St. Brigid’s GAA Club, Blackwater, said; “It is with great sadness that we report on the death of our club Vice President, Sean Ormonde, a true Blackwater Gael. Sean was a brilliant advocate in promotion of our national games, he never missed a match kids or adults and truly bleed green and gold.”

Born in Screen, near Curracloe in 1935, Sean started out hurling and playing football in Killahard school at the age of eight and made his adult debut in 1953 in the Wexford District Championship with the Blackwater team against St. Fintans playing in goal. He also played with the Oulart minor hurling team that year (as Blackwater had no minor team). In the first round tie against Rathnure it was noted that he was outstanding in the goalie position with the team. He played the following year again with Oulart minors It was really at wing back and midfield though where he showed his best position, no more so than one of his crowning honours winning a junior hurling title with Blackwater in 1957.

He also played on the 1963 team which lost the Junior Hurling County Final to St. Martins, playing at wing back.

He played a total of 21 times in the championship for Blackwater (sometimes there was only one game a year in championship if you lost) scoring two goals and two points from his back position, finishing his career in 1970 with the first team.

Sean shares some of his memories from the 1957 Junior Championship- footage recorded 26th of February 2018.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS Ormonde ( Coolballow, Wexford) – July 18, 2019, Sean ( former Co Secretary of the GAA), beloved husband of Geraldine and loving father of John, Janette and the late Elizabeth, brother of the late Bridie; sadly missed by his family, son-in-law Richard, daughter-in-law Lesley, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, grandchildren Ellen, Eoin, Aoibhe, Grace and Luke, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. R. I. P. Reposing in Knockeen Nursing Home Barntown on Friday from 3 pm until 8 pm. Funeral Mass in Church of the Assumption Bride Street on Saturday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St. Ibar’s Cemetery Crosstown. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired to Wexford Hospice Homecare.