Down great and two-time All-Ireland football title winner Kevin O'Neill dies

RIP: Down GAA is mourning the loss of one of their greatest ever servants Kevin O’Neill. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile.

Down GAA is mourning the loss of one of their greatest ever servants Kevin O’Neill.

O’Neill was a key member of the memorable Down team that won successive All-Ireland senior football medals in 1960 and 1961.

The Newry man played a significant role in those back-to-back triumphs which saw Down make history by becoming the first Ulster team to land the Sam Maguire Cup before repeating the feat the following year, with O’Neill then deciding to retire from inter-county action.

A tough defender shared those achievements with his younger brother, Seán, who is often regarded as one of the most talented forwards in Gaelic football history.

Kevin O’Neill also enjoyed success with Newry Mitchels, whom he helped to win four Down senior football championship titles during the 60s while he was also part of the first Abbey CBS side that lifted the MacRory Cup.

Kevin O’Neill’s passing means that there are now just two surviving members of Down’s All-Ireland-winning sides of ’60 and ‘61: his brother Seán O’Neill and Kevin Mussen.