DENNIS DONNELLY

It was with great shock and sadness that everyone at the Bens learned of the untimely death last night of Dennis Donnelly.
Reading some posts on the Pie and Bovril Junior forum, the loss is shared at many clubs throughout the Junior game.
Dennis played for many clubs: Aberdeen and Clyde in the Seniors; Glencairn, Kilbirnie and Ardrossan Winton Rovers- where he was a legend- are mentioned on the forum. But when Dennis arrived with Frank Lovering at the Bens, there was no doubting his total commitment to one club- Benburb.
Renowned for his constantly changing and interesting training sessions, he gave young players the grounding required for the Juniors and refreshed a few jaded careers along the way. In what was a difficult spell for the club on and off the park, his enthusiasm and commitment to lifting Bens back up the leagues was always in evidence whether encouraging players, questioning referees or at a midweek committee meeting.
Alongside this, he would acknowledge and chat happily with the small band of supporters the club depends upon. A natural communicator, he was only too happy to assist the Bens appeal for help following a damaging break-in a few years back, by appearing on Chick Young's World of Football on Radio Scotland.
It's a World of Football that's emptier today following the passing of Dennis Donnelly.