LIAM McAlinden, former huntsman of the Sligo Harriers and the East Galway Foxhounds, the latter for 16 seasons, sadly passed away after a long illness which he bore with bravery. At his Requiem Mass in his local Church in Kilnadeema near Loughrea in County Galway, his family, relations and many friends gathered for the Mass celebrated by Monsignor Cathal Geraghty. On his coffin was the number five Gaelic jersey of his club An Spideal in Connemara, one of his great loves in sport apart from hunting a pack of hounds.

Liam was first of all a family man and extremely devoted to his wife Dorothy and so proud of his son Daniel and daughter Rachel. He was always an extremely popular man, kind and sensitive, with a great way with the hunt followers, especially children, whom he continuously encouraged, which made such a difference in honing their riding skills in the hunting field. Many went on to claim national and international honours, such as European gold medals and World Championship silver medals in both show jumping and eventing.