Death of Mayo All-Ireland hero Fr Peter Quinn
Fr. Quinn passed away at Ard Na Greine nursing home in Enniscrone on Saturday.
He played under the name ‘Peter Quinlan’ in the 1951 final victory over Meath, having obtained a special dispensation from the Bishop of Meath at the time to do so. Rules at the time stated that if a member of the clergy was hurt or caused hurt to an opponent in a game, it was viewed as a serious breach of canonical laws.
Soon after the 1951 victory, Fr. Quinn left for the Philippines, spending many years there before moving to America. He returned home to Ireland in 2012 and was Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s guest of honour for the 2013 All-Ireland final. Fr. Quinn’s passing breaks another link to the last Mayo teams to lift the Sam Maguire Cup.
Paddy Prendergast, the ‘Prince of full-backs’, and Padraig Carney are the only surviving members of those iconic sides. Prendergast has been living in Kerry for over 40 years while Carney is based in the US.
Fr. Quinn was ordained in Dalgan Park, Navan, 66 years ago and worked as a missionary priest in the Philippines (Negros) and with Student Catholic Action before moving to the US.
He played his club football with Ardnaree Sarsfields, who will seek to honour his memory by claiming victory in Saturday’s AIB All-Ireland junior club football final against Kerry opponents Templenoe.
Funeral details as follows: Reposing at McGowan’s funeral home, Ballina on Sunday, February 7 from 12.30 pm with removal at 2pm to St. Patrick’s Church, Ballina for funeral mass at 2.30pm with burial afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Kilglass.
