17/12/2025
DONAL Rabbette will once again be remembered when Clara GAA ladies and men take part in the Annual Charity Football Match on St. Stephen's Day.
Known with great fondness as “big dog” Donal passed away suddenly while on vacation in America way back in 2006. Donal was a larger then life character leaving a very lasting impression on all who knew him.
His love for Clara GAA knew no bounds. In his playing days his most notable achievements were winning an All Ireland Football Medal with Ard Scoil Chiarain and playing for Offaly in the Senior Vocational Schools Hurling All Ireland Final in Semple Stadium in Centenary Year, lining out with his brother Paul and great friend Ronan Scully
Donal's style of hurling could have been compared to a famous Kilkenny hurler Dick O'Hara, a no nonsense corner back in every sense of the word.
After an unfortunate car accident, Donal's playing career was cut short but this did not dim his enthusiasm for Clara GAA.
He moved onto administration filling a number of rolls on committee and managing a number of hurling teams. Most notably he was part of the management team that won the Intermediate Hurling Championship in 200,3 duly doing the double that year having won the Senior Football Title the previous weekend.
Donal also ran his own business 'DOC Design', designing quite a number of houses and buildings, notably the St Brigid's Credit Union building in the town. He was also involved in the family businesses running 'Danny's and Doc's' Licensed premises.
The esteem and standing he is held in can only be described as remarkable. His family are so proud and grateful for all who participate in the charity match and his famous Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honours and recognises the contribution of Clara Gaels down through the years. It has become quite prestigious to be honoured with this award.
With the help of all in the club and the chief organisers Alan Cronin, Noel Kelly and his brother Paul the monies raised have gone to local charities raising over 20,000 euros to date.
This year's charity match takes place on St. Stephen's Day in the GAA grounds Clara at 11.30am.
This is the 20th time to play Married v Singles and extraordinarily the married team have yet to lose. A tremendous addition over the last few years has been the involvement of our lady footballers as they also take to the field.
That evening around 6pm we have our presentation of the Hall of Fame award. This will take place in Cowen's Bar with music provided by Joe , Claire and Noreen Rabbette
Again, a notable mark of respect is when we do the Hall of Fame the entire packed pub remains silent when we are describing the recipients' contributions to Clara GAA which have been penned each year by Clara's own Padraig Moran. Padraig's words always hit the nail on the head.
