Marshall McConnell

It was with deep sadness that the club learned of the passing of former player, ex-committee member and past Club President Marshall McConnell on 29th March 2023.

Marshall was well known to many within and outside the club as both a hockey player and a highly respected mathematics teacher at Newry High School and before that at Kilkeel High School. He was the Head of the Mathematics Department at Newry. There are many club members who benefitted from Marshall's teaching expertise and the personal support he provided to help all his pupils successfully through their studies.

There are also those who will fondly recall Marshall's time as an active member of the club. From a family with a huge association with Newry Olympic hockey club, he was a long term member playing during the 1960's and 70's and a regular for the club 1st XI. He was also a past President of the club in 1980-81 and 81-82. This was at a busy time when the Olympic was just starting on its journey to raise funds to buy their own grounds.

Marshall enjoyed the social side as well as the playing side of the game. He was a regular with Cliftonville Hockey Club on their trips to the Isle of Man hockey festival and was always on the team sheet for Newry when the club played at tournaments in Dublin and in their annual challenge match with Skerries. He also travelled with the club on their first European tour to Zandvoorte in Holland in 1982.

As Club President, Marshall introduced the 'Marshall McConnell Youth Player of The Year Shield' in 1981, a gesture typical of how he would actively encourage the younger members of the club in the sport. The award is still presented annually at the end of season and is a fitting memorial to a great club member.

Heartfelt condolences go from the club committee and club members to Marshall's wife Barbara, sons Jamie, Gareth and Ross and also to brother Billy and sister Jeanette.