We are sad to report the death of Michael MacDonagh, one of the CBAI’s Grand Masters.
Originally from Galway, but latterly residing just outside Mullingar, Michael was a multiple national champion, and won many international caps. He was also, by a country mile, the fastest player in Ireland for most of his career, with very few serious challengers. Even though he was extremely competitive, he had an easy-going and affable personality, and, partly as a result of this, played successfully with a wide variety of partners, including Eddie Fitzgerald (his “core” partner), BJ O’Brien, Pat McDevitt, James Heneghan, and Bob Pattinson.
Michael played in one European Open Championship, and three Camrose events, one Senior World Championship (in Lille), several Senior Europeans (including Dublin in 2012), and seven Teltscher Trophies, including the inaugural one and Ireland’s second-ever win. His national titles comprised four Egan Trophies, five Geraldine Trophies, the Holmes Wilson, the Kelburne, the Master Pairs, and, the ones that he was perhaps most proud of, two Coen Trophies in partnership with his life-partner, Liz Taaffe. He was also a part of many of the successful Connacht interprovincial teams.
We offer our sincere condolences to Liz; to Michael’s children, Eleanor, Gavin, Olive, Joanne, Michael and their mother, Veronica; to Liz’s children, Michael, Rachel and Mark; to grandchildren Aifric, Cúán, Murach, Sam and Rían; to his brother Eugene, and sisters Eleanor and Vera; and to all his extended family and friends, especially those from the bridge world who will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace. Funeral arrangements