There is widespread sadness following the passing of Donegal sporting and business legend Mick McGinley.
Mick, who was originally from Dunfanaghy, passed away earlier today after a long health battle
HIs son, well-known golfer Paul McGinley, paid an emotional tribute to his dad.
“We lost Dad today after a long battle with Dementia,” Ryder Cup icon McGinley wrote on X.
“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.
He 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.
He was also a successful businessman, helping to found telecommunications company Sigma Wireless. He was predeceased by his late wife Julia.
Speaking in recent years, Paul revealed that his father had been diagnosed with dementia during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2024, the golfer said that Mick had lost the ability to walk and was struggling to communicate.
“He’s always been complicit and smiley, and you walk into the house now and even though he can’t say ‘hello Paul’ anymore, he recognises my face and he lights up with that big, huge smile that he’s got.
“He looks great. He looks terrific. He’s the same Mick McGinley that everybody knew. And some people will come up and not know, but they can tell quite quickly that there’s obviously a challenge there.
“But he’s always happy. He has a big smile on his face because he still sees faces and he can recognise faces.”
The following is Mick’s death notice:
McGINLEY Michael (Rathfarnham, Dublin and formerly of Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal) 28th December, 2025. Peacefully at home, in the loving care of his family; Beloved husband of the late Julia (nee Sheridan) and loving father of Paul, Mary, Karen, Michael and Suzanne.
Michael will be sadly missed by his family and in-laws, his grandchildren Niamh, Killian and Maia, Niall, James, Meabh and Michael, Sean, Luke and Liam, his sisters Marette and Kathleen, (predeceased by his brother Brian and sister Betty), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Reposing at Fanagans Funeral Home, Willbrook, Rathfarnham (D14 WO29) on Thursday (1st January) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Funeral Mass will take place on Friday (2nd Jan) at 13.00pm in Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham (D14 E803) followed by burial in Kilmashogue Cemetery.
Huge sadness at passing of proud Donegal man Mick McGinley was last modified: December 28th, 2025 by Staff Writer