Steven 'Nudie' Ingram: GAA club pays tribute to “one of the greats” after passing

St Pat’s Donagh and Shannon Blues GAA star Steven ‘Nudie’ Ingram

A Co Fermanagh GAA club has paid a moving tribute to an “incredibly gifted footballer” and dedicated club volunteer who passed away after a battle with leukaemia

Steven ‘Nudie’ Ingram kicked the winning point for St Patrick’s Donagh in the 1996 Fermanagh Minor Football Championship final.

He was also a key member of the Fermanagh Colleges team who won the All-Ireland title in the same year, beating Rathmore of Kerry in the final.

That team also included future Tyrone All-Ireland winner Colm McCullagh as well as Paul McGirr who was tragically killed after an on-field collision in 1997. Former Fermanagh player and manager Rory Gallagher captained the college side.

Steven passed away on Thursday aged 45 and St Patrick’s described him as “one of the greats” in a social media post.

“St Patrick’s GFC Committee and Members wish to offer their deepest condolences to the Ingram family Donagh on the devastating passing of Nudie.

“To Joanne his wife, children Rory and Emer, Nudie’s parents Ronan & Mary, and siblings Paddy, Paul, Aine and extended family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this heartbreaking time.

”Nudie was an integral part of St Patrick’s Club from a young age, an incredibly gifted footballer who scored the winning point for our 1996 Minor Championship winning side. Nudie was also part of the Fermanagh GAA Colleges team who won the All-Ireland Vocational ‘A’ Schools title against Rathmore, Co Kerry starting at centre half-back.

“In more recent times Nudie was an integral part of the St Patrick’s GFC Committee covering numerous roles including Treasurer and Youth Officer and coached many of our underage teams to great success.

“We thank Nudie for his incredible hard work and dedication to the role which oversaw huge success in our youth teams and developed players to go on to Senior Club and County Level. One of the greats, Steven ‘Nudie’ Ingram. RIP.”

Ingram also represented the Shannon Blues Gaelic football club during his time in Boston and they shared their own tribute.

A statement read: “The Shannon Blues has just heard of the sad news of the passing of one of our former players and friend in Ireland. Steven Ingram or Nudie who we all fondly knew him by.

“In his time in Boston, Nudie played proudly with the Shannon Blues in the 90s and early 2000’s in both the Irish Cultural Centre Canton, and the old Delboy Stadium.

“Steven was part of winning senior and Junior championships teams and was a great teammate on the field and a better friend off it.”

Steven’s funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 10 at St Patrick’s Church Donagh at 2pm with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

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