A community steeped in grief but rich in memories gathered in Crossmaglen on Friday morning for the funeral of lifelong GAA stalwart and devoted mother and grandmother, Margaret McConville.
Margaret passed away peacefully at home on August 4, surrounded by her loving family.
St Patrick’s Church was filled to capacity as family, friends, neighbours and members of the wider GAA community came together to pay their final respects to the 90-year-old, whom many eulogised over recent days and one who was today remembered as “a lady who tried to do the right thing as best she could”.
Fr Dermot Maloney presided over the Requiem Mass and spoke of a woman whose life was defined by “three Fs – faith, family and football”.
During the opening procession, a number of symbols of Margaret’s life and loves were brought to the altar.
Photos from her wedding day, a cherished family photograph and a picture of her late son Thomas – who died in a tragic swimming accident at the age of 16 – were carried forward.
A replica of the Sam Maguire Cup reflected what Fr Maloney described as her lifelong devotion to the GAA. Alongside it lay the famed Crossmaglen Rangers scarf she was renowned for wearing around her neck at matches – an instantly recognisable sight at grounds across Armagh and beyond.
A set of rosary beads was also placed before the altar, a nod to Margaret’s strong and steadfast Catholic faith.
Born and reared on the square in Crossmaglen, Margaret Morgan grew up in a house that was very much at the heart of local life.
“Her home house on the square was a place where people gathered on fair days and where they could get refreshments,” Fr Maloney recalled. “It was a home of welcome, and that continued with Margaret throughout her life.”
She worked as a nurse for a number of years before marrying her beloved husband Patsy on April 8, 1958. Together the couple had nine children.
Her greatest love, said Fr Maloney, was always her family. Yet it was a family life touched by deep sadness. The death of son Thomas, who drowned in Donegal while attending the Gaeltacht some 50 years ago next Monday, was a devastating blow. The loss of her infant son Patrick, and later her husband Patsy on September 1, 1999, brought further heartache.
“What brought her through these difficult times was the support she received from family members, neighbours, friends – and her strong faith,” Fr Maloney said.
“Margaret had a strong faith, attending Mass here all her life. She was a reader and a Eucharistic minister for many years. She had a great devotion to Our Lady. Every year, when they went on holidays, she and Patsy always managed a visit to Knock Shrine. After Patsy died, she continued to visit Knock with family members for many years. She was a lifelong Pioneer.”
Fr Maloney, who had visited Margaret monthly in recent years, spoke of the warm welcome he always received.
“Last weekend, as she was getting weaker, she welcomed the opportunity to join me in the prayers. I even told her I was going to see Cross’ Rangers play on Sunday afternoon. I think she was just sorry she couldn’t be with me.”
If faith and family were constants in her life, so too was football.
“To say Margaret was a GAA supporter would be an understatement,” Fr Maloney told mourners.
“She followed the GAA all her life with many fond memories. She was in Croke Park to see her brother play in the All-Ireland in 1953. She was involved with Cross’ Rangers all her life and served as secretary for many years at a time when it was unusual to have a female secretary in any club. She was honorary president of the club.”
Some of her proudest moments came in 2002 when Armagh lifted their first All-Ireland senior football title, with her son Oisín on the team, and again in 2024 when three of her grandsons were part of the county panel.
“Margaret was at her happiest when she was at a match supporting Cross’ or Armagh,” Fr Maloney said.
“At the last training session before a major game, Margaret was in charge of making tea for the players. She knew what certain players preferred and would have kept it for them. I also heard of people who were just visiting that she may not have known that well, but she would have come out and offered a cup of tea. That was the kind of woman she was.”
He recalled meeting her in Armagh city a few years ago after Crossmaglen had reclaimed the county championship.
“She was delighted because there had been a two-year break since Cross’ had last won it. She was so happy to see them back winning again,” he smiled.
Margaret’s service to the club went beyond the sideline. She was a founder member of the Crossmaglen Rangers Lotto Committee, which remains active to this day.
Away from football, she enjoyed reading the Irish News – especially the death notices, always anxious to see if there was a wake she or a family member should attend – as well as listening to Irish music and sewing.
In recent days, many who knew her remarked that her life could be summed up by three simple words: “faith, family and football” – three priorities she herself was said to have mentioned shortly before her death.
“While death separates us from the person gone ahead of us, it is, for them, a reunion with those who have gone before,” Fr Maloney concluded.
“It is our faith that Margaret is today reunited with Patsy, with Thomas and with her son Patrick who died in infancy. May she rest in peace.”
Fr Maloney extended his sympathy on behalf of the parish community to Mrs McConville’s grieving family: her daughters Anne (Conroy), Mairead (Finnegan) and Dora (O’Neill); sons Jarlath, Jim, Sean and Oisín; sons-in-law Brian, Paddy and Gareth; daughters-in-law Geraldine, Michelle, Tina and Darina; her brother John and sister Jeanette (O’Callaghan); her 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces and the entire family circle.
Following the Requiem Mass, Margaret McConville was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery, as Crossmaglen bade farewell to a woman whose quiet faith, generous hospitality and unwavering loyalty to club, county and community will long be remembered.
