Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 11:56am

Mr. Aiden Cunningham

by Editorial Department

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The death occurred of Aiden Cunningham on Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2009, at the age of 55 years. Aiden was born in Ederney, Co. Fermanagh, the fifth and youngest son of Brian and May Cunningham (nee Eves), brother to John, Mike, Vincent and Sally and predeceased by his brother Adam and sister Roisin. His father was principal of Lettercran National School, Pettigo, Co. Donegal and his mother the daughter of Adam Eves, publican, New St., Ederney. Following the death of his father in 1964, he attended Moneyvriece School, Ederney and St. Michael's College, Enniskillen where he proved academically outstanding as well as an important playing member of the college teams. He captained the school Corn-na-nOg team which won the Ulster title in 1968 and was a member of the winning Rannafast team in 1969.

He began his teaching life in Lisnaskea High School and later moved to St. Michael's College, Enniskillen where he spent the rest of his career teaching Maths, Chemistry and ICT. That Aiden was an inspirational teacher and an exceptional mentor for many students who looked to him for support, was evident from the many stories and tributes paid to him by former pupils. He will be remembered by his colleagues for his humour and stories in the staffroom, for organising staff outings and school formals, and for his involvement in many successful school productions. Aiden retired from teaching in 2002.

Apart from teaching, Aiden's great love was Gaelic football having played for Fermanagh as a minor in the early seventies. In playing for Ederney GFC he was one of the most prominent players of his generation as a juvenile and minor during the 60s and 70s and as a senior until his transfer to Lisnaskea Emmetts in 1980. In 1979 he was player/manager of the St. Joseph's team which won the Intermediate football championship and the following year he masterminded Ederney's defeat by his adopted club (Emmetts) in the senior semi-final on his way to winning Intermediate and Senior championship medals in successive seasons. As a playing member of the University of Ulster (Coleraine GFC) he was awarded half colours for his services to Gaelic football. After his own playing career was over he continued to make a valuable contribution to Gaelic football in the county through his involvement with many school teams as trainer and mentor with much of his spare time spent around matches and training sessions. Aiden was an all round sports person and excelled in many fields. As a runner he completed both the Belfast and Dublin marathons. He played golf in both Clones and Blacklion being a winning member of the Lawson Cup team. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time fishing around the lakes of Lettercran and Pettigo as his father had done before him. He also had a great love for and appreciation of all kinds of music being competent on both the piano and tin whistle.

Aiden married Celia Breslin of Maguiresbridge, a member of another strong Fermanagh GAA family and they were blessed with a family of four, Niall, Aideen, Brendan and Kate. He took great joy in the achievements of his children who inherited his academic and sporting abilities.

Aiden's passing was a huge shock and loss to his family and wide circle of friends who all gathered on an icy December morning to lay him to rest in Maguiresbridge churchyard. It was a gathering of relations, friends, former pupils, team mates and teaching colleagues who shared their anecdotes, yarns and affectionate stories of Aiden.