Two-time All-Ireland-winning Down star Kevin O’Neill has passed away, it has been announced.

The Newry Mitchels man was a pivotal part of the Mournemen’s back-to-back Sam Maguire Cup wins in 1960 and 1961, playing a key role as a defender in their first triumph in 1960 against Kerry.

The strong Down defensive unit kept Kerry to just 8 points as they became the first county from Northern Ireland to win the All-Ireland football title.

Down Kevin O'Neill
Kevin O’Neill during the Down 1960/61 Jubilee team presentation at the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Finals, Croke Park, Dublin. Pic: Sportsfile

He would retire after the second triumph over Offaly in 1961, but continued playing for Newry Mitchels, winning four more county titles. His brother Seán O’Neill was also part of the double-winning All-Ireland side as a forward.

‘Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Kevin O’Neill’, Down GAA said in a statement on Facebook.

The County eulogised his on-field career in great detail, but finished off the statement by talking about the man off it.

Down
The Down 1960/61 Jubilee team who were honoured during the GAA Football All-Ireland Championship Final, Croke Park, Dublin. Pic: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

‘Kevin O’Neill was an astute judge of Football, he had a great love of the game, and he had wisdom and knowledge, a trait that he carried not just through his involvement in the GAA, but also in his work in local Government as Clerk and Chief Executive of Newry and Mourne Council. Kevin O’Neill was a part of a very special group of players who made history, he was a man of firsts, with school, with club and with county. He was a leader who asked no one to do anything he would not do himself.

‘He had many fine attributes, but it is fair to say that his steel and determination were a key component in Down winning two All-Irelands in 1960 and 61.

‘We in Down GAA value that contribution made by Kevin, he played a vital part in making us the County we are today. He was a man who gave his best in any role that he was asked to fill. We are only the inheritors of a great tradition left to us by men like Kevin O’Neill.’