​Tributes are paid to former Confederation chairman Davy

​An individual who was highly respected in various sectors including community, housing, and the GAA, Davy was noted for his “selfless voluntary contribution” by those who knew him best.

He passed away on New Year’s Eve and was laid to rest on Thursday following mass in he Church of the Sacred Heart, Cloughoge.

He was the Chairman of the Confederation of Community Groups (CCG) for over 10 years, with the organisation saying that its staff and volunteers were “saddened to receive the news of the passing of our former Chairperson”.

They added: “Davy steered CCG for over ten years with his selfless voluntary contribution. In his role he was concerned for the need to promote the social and economic needs of the people of Newry and he skilfully guided the Confederation’s community development strategy which he believed to be the most effective way of enabling local communities.”

CCG pointed out that Davy was highly respected in various sectors including community, housing, and the GAA, in particular with Newry Shamrocks and Down GAA.

The Shamrocks posted on their Facebook page to pay their own tribute, noting that Davy was “a Gael who held every executive office in our club, a former referee, senior footballer, and coach.”

Down said they were “Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of David Cunningham, a former player, referee, and club officer with Newry Shamrocks.

"Davy was a native of County Louth but soon became an adopted son of Newry Shamrocks, where he undertook many roles within the Club, each role undertaken in his own indominable way, ensuring that at all times the best interests of the club and the Association were served to the best of his ability

“Davy was known to many as the Chief Steward on Match Days at Pairc Esler, where he made a valuable contribution to the well being of our patrons at games and events.

"His work was often unseen and necessitated that he was amongst the first people on duty on a match day and remaining there long after the final whistle."

The statement added that Down GAA “fully appreciate the work that Davy undertook on all of our behalf on match day and he will be missed”, adding that he would have played a key role in the hosting of the recently-held All Ireland Club Semi Final.

"Davy Cunningham always gave of his best and in doing so he reflected all that is good about our great association and our volunteer ethos.“We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Angela, his children Gerard, Annemarie, Michelle and remembering too the late Baby David, his brothers Alan and Vincent, his sister Millicent, his daughter in law, sons in law and his grandchildren. We also offer our condolences to the Gaels of Newry Shamrocks on the passing of an outstanding Clubman.”