Golf icon McGinley mourns passing of his father after dementia fight

LONG BATTLE: Paul McGinley with his late father Mick. Pic: Paul MCGinley/Twitter

Paul McGinley has paid an emotional tribute to his father Mick, who passed away on Sunday after a long health battle

"We lost Dad today after a long battle with Dementia," Ryder Cup icon McGinley wrote on Twitter on Sunday. "Could not have asked for a better mentor, friend and Dad. We are all broken hearted and sad."

Mick McGinley is understood to have passed away at his home in Rathfarnham, Dublin, surrounded by his family. Originally from Dunfanaghy, McGinley played inter-county football for Donegal at the turn of the 1950s and 60s having previously won an Ulster minor title with his county and, earlier, a MacRory Cup with St. Eunan's College of Letterkenny. 

He was also a successful businessman, helping to found telecommunications company Sigma Wireless. He was predeceased by his late wife Julia.