Tuairisc an Rúnaí2020

Presidents: Tom McLoughney RIP, Len Gaynor, Fr. Pat Greed & Fr. Enda Burke

Vice-Presidents: Martin O’Meara, Carmel Daly, Joe McCarthy & Des Gaynor

Chairman: Joe Whelan

Secretary: Martina Cleary

Assistant Secretary/PRO: Gilbert Williams

Treasurer: John Mulcahy

Registrar: Carmel Daly

Child Welfare Officer: Yvonne O’Looney

County Board & North Board Delegate: Gilbert Williams

Injury Claims Officer: Kay Cahalan

School Liaison Officers: John O’Meara, Brian England, Barney Naughnane & Gilbert Williams

Club Officials 2020

The Queen of England described 1992 as an “Annus Horribilis” for the Royal Family. 2020 will go down in history as an “Annus Horribilis” for nations all over the globe. It was a year in which words like Covid and Cocooning and phrases like Social Distancing and Contact Tracing became part of our everyday language. Our world seemed to be turned upside down. To be positive had negative implications and to be negative was seen as a positive. Amateur immunologists and epidemiologists mushroomed all over the land.

As we rang in the New Year on 31st December nobody envisaged a year where schools, pubs and shops would be closed for long periods and where people would be paid to stay at home from work. Our churches were closed for the first time since the Penal Laws, shopping and mask wearing went hand in hand. The customary handshake to congratulate or commiserate became socially unacceptable and both the cough and the sneeze were certain to guarantee ample physical distancing. Our hands were never as clean as we sanitised ad nauseam.

Since its foundation in 1884 the GAA has come through turbulent times during the War of Independence, the Civil War and the Emergency. However, the challenges the Association faced in 2020 were to use the most hackneyed word of the year - “Unprecedented”. As it has always done the GAA rose to the challenge and emerged stronger.

The GAA Club has always been the heartbeat of the Community and this was never more evident than in 2020. The length and breadth of the country GAA members made themselves available to assist the most vulnerable in their communities and Kilruane MacDonaghs were no exception in this regard. Fundraising for worthy causes was a notable feature of the first Lockdown. The senior hurlers and intermediate camogie panel raised a magnificent €8,533 with their 5k a Day Run for St. Conlon’s Nursing Home Nenagh. Such was the standard of times posted that I expect some of our players to be featuring in the next Olympics.

Nostalgia flourished during the Lockdown and 370 photos were posted on the club Twitter Account. There was a great reaction to these photos which ranged from 1901 to 2016. A few gems were unearthed. Skills Challenges were all the rage. Our Healthy Club Committee launched a competition for our young players. 65 players, boys and girls, submitted 105 videos. The names of all the entrants will be put into a Draw with two of the new club jerseys for the boys and two for the girls. One of our most successful ventures was the Strike Challenge for the more mature members. Fr. Pat Greed imported the idea from Clonlara in Clare and it spread like a virus throughout the parish and beyond. Over 70 videos were posted on Twitter with emigrants displaying their skills in places as far away as New York and New Zealand. Len Gaynor’s efforts attracted 74,300 views.

With the country in such turmoil hurling seemed to be unimportant but on the other hand hurling became more important than ever. Although attendances at games were

very restricted the club games took centre stage with our encounter against Loughmore featured on TG4. However, the club scene did not emerge unscathed with both the North senior hurling and both the U21 hurling and football championships cancelled.

After losing out by a point in the 2019 County semi-final there was a quiet determination to go a step or two further in 2020. Billy O’Shea was installed as manager for the fourth successive year. Noel Larkin returned as coach and former manager Mick Ryan completed the line-up as a selector. Brendan Egan took charge of Strength & Conditioning in a very professional setup.

On Saturday, 18th January the panel assembled for a meeting in the clubroom followed by fitness testing in the complex. Justin Cahill, Brian O’Meara and Sean McAdams were unavailable for the season. Training commenced on Wednesday, 22nd January. The first challenge match was away to Clarinbridge on Saturday, 22nd February. The opening

round of the County League saw the team put in a credible performance in losing out by the minimum of margins to Nenagh. Covid made an unwelcome appearance soon after that and the scheduled second round game against Upperchurch fell by the wayside. At this stage, the team looked very fit and training had gone exceedingly well. However, Covid brought everything to a shuddering halt and the fate both club and county championships became clouded in a dense fog of uncertainty.

It was not until Wednesday, 24th June that the GAA gave the green light for training to resume. With the club scene now taking centre stage it meant that our county players

Senior Hurling

were available for training. Their presence was a huge boost and the attendances were excellent. Challenge games against Turloughmore, Holycross and Birr resulted in three victories with the team moving well.

All preparations were geared for the opening championship clash against title favourites Thurles. MacDonaghs went toe to toe with Sarsfields until the final quarter. After the second water break Thurles took control. The general view is that we ran out of steam. However, I believe we lost our shape and a few individual errors proved costly. The players and management dusted themselves down and went on to record a hard-earned victory over Moycarkey. The team showed character to win this encounter that looked to be slipping away on a number of occasions. This victory set up a winner take all clash against Loughmore in Semple Stadium with the winner advancing to the quarter-final.

On a perfect day for hurling this eagerly anticipated encounter was shown live on TG4. We fell to a disappointing two-point defeat and our season was over. We were flattered by the margin of defeat and can have no complaints about the result. The game can be parsed and analysed, dissected and bisected but the simple fact is not enough of our players played up to form. It is difficult to argue that any more than four players played to their potential. We seemed to lack confidence and conviction. Balls were fumbled and too many attempts at scoring ended up in the goalkeeper’s hand.

We win together and we lose together and when we lose, we must be honest in our assessment. Not enough players performed in our loss to Loughmore. Players must take the responsibility for their performances.

Thanks to Billy O’Shea, Noel Larkin, Mick Ryan, June Whelan and Tom Quinlisk who put in a huge effort during the year. Thanks to the panel of players who also put in a tremendous effort. Unfortunately, the performances on the match days did not reflect the work that was put in on the training field.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist

adjusts the sails.” I believe we are not too far off the pace. We can adjust the sail to help us reach our desired destination.

League

Sunday 8th March in Nenagh

Nenagh 1-14 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-13

Championship

Rd 1 Saturday 25th July in Holycross

Thurles 1-19 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-13

Rd 2 Saturday 8th August in Templemore

Kilruane MacDonaghs 3-21 Moycarkey 2-19

Rd 3 Sunday 16th August in Semple Stadium

Loughmore 2-14 Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-12

Junior Hurling

Junior hurling has been the problem child in the club for a number of years. We struggled to be competitive in this grade and at last year’s AGM there was unanimous agreement that we would seek regrading to Junior ‘B’. However, the County Board rejected our application and once again we were obliged to remain in the ‘A’ grade. To the credit of the team management they did not complain about the decision and went about their business. Before training could commence in earnest Covid 19 had gripped the land.

When the Lockdown ended the seniors were getting ready for Thurles so the junior management went the challenge match route in preparation for the first round of the championship. Players got ample opportunity to nail down a starting place in the games against Clonakenny, Silvermines, Portroe and Borrisokane. The team approached the first round in a determined mood against championship favourites Nenagh. A bright opening quarter gave grounds for optimism but a very strong Nenagh outfit emerged comfortable winners. The team gave a much-improved performance in the second round against Toomevara but returned home pointless.

The whole season depended on the result of the next game against Borris-Ileigh. Nothing less than victory would suffice. The unfamiliar venue of Shalee hosted this encounter. MacDonaghs gave a spirited display to record a five-point victory — our first since 2016. No doubt the introduction of Justin Cahill helped galvanise the team and his availability for the remainder of the campaign was a major boost. Buoyed up by this victory the team went on to overcome Roscrea in Ballingarry. The final group game was against Knockshegowna with a semi-final spot on the line. Our neighbours have proved to be a bogey team over many years. Victories have been rare with the last one in 2016. On this occasion MacDonaghs refused to accept second best and were not flattered by the eight-

point winning margin. A formidable Nenagh side blocked the path to the final. Few outside the team and management gave MacDonaghs any chance of victory. However, employing the perfect tactics against this particular opposition the Magpies took the game by the scruff of the neck from the start and led until the final minutes. A dubious refereeing decision led to a long-range free which resulted in a Nenagh goal. To add insult to injury the referee missed a blatant push on one of our players as the sliotar dropped into the goalmouth. Such are the tight margins between victory and defeat.

It had been a noble effort by players and management. Pride had been restored in our junior team. The players had played with our traditional spirit and determination. The aim should be to build on this progress and see where it leads. Thanks to the players and the management team of Martin Walsh, Colin England, Diarmuid Cahill and Jim Williams.

Rd 1 Saturday 1st August in Borrisokane

Nenagh 2-26 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-13

Rd 2 Sunday 9th August in Roscrera

Toomevara 0-24 Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-15

Rd 3 Saturday 22nd August in Shalee

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-12 Borris-Ileigh 0-13

Rd 4 Friday 28th August in Ballingarry

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-18 Roscrea 0-20

Rd 5 Saturday 5th September in Borrisokane

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-16 Knockshegowna 0-11

Semi-Final Saturday 19th September in Puckane

Nenagh 1-11 Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-12

This grade has always provided quality hurling even though it is generally played in winter. However, this year it became a Covid causalty and for the first time since this competition was inaugurated in 1959 there was no hurling championship in this grade.

The football fared a little better. The divisional championship commenced in March. We were one of three teams that affiliated in the ‘A’ competition. We were scheduled to play Borrisokane in the first round but weather forced the cancellation on a number of occasions. With the arrival of Covid in Ireland the championship was paused.

We were nominated to represent the North Division in the County Semi-Final when the championship recommenced. The team gave a very good account of themselves against Arravale Rovers but ran out of steam in the second half. Had Craig Morgan been available MacDonaghs would have been a lot closer .

Thanks to Liam O’Kelly (Manager), Pat Murphy & Christy Morgan (Coaches) and Jack Peters & Niall O’Meara (Selectors) for their work with this team.

Friday 2nd October in Borrisoleigh

Arravale Rovers 1-13 to 0-5 Kilruane MacDonaghs

Under 21

We played in the ‘A’ championship in hurling and found the going tough. We were drawn in a very group of four with Ballina, Kiladangan and Toomevara. We had a torrid opening round against eventual champions Ballina. There was a much-improved performance in the second round against Kiladangan but victory proved elusive. In the final group game we battled well against Toomevara who were comfortable winners. In the semi-final Roscrea proved much too strong.

In football we affiliated in the ‘B’ championship and recorded a first-round victory over Portroe. When the championship resumed in the autumn the management couldn’t muster a quorum to play Newport and the decision was made to pull out of the championship.

The management team of Mark O’Leary (Manager), John Casey, Aidan Ryan, Fr. Pat Greed and Damian Lawlor put in a huge effort with this group.

Hurling

Rd 1 Friday 17th July in Toomevara

Ballina 4-28 Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-9

Rd 2 Wednesday 22nd July in Borrisokane

Kiladangan 5-17 Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-16

Rd 3 Wednesday 29th July in Moneygall

Toomevara 4-8 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-4

Quarter-Final Wednesday 5th August in Moneygall

Roscrea 2-22 Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-9

Football

Rd 1 Sunday 8th March

Kilruane MacDonaghs 5-5 Portroe 2-6

Minor

Discipline“Without self-discipline, success is impossible. Period.” (Lou Holtz American Football Coach)As a club we have always tried to aspire to the highest standards of discipline both on and off the field. Our discipline record bears favourable comparison with any club in the county. However, we have to acknowledge that over years there have been lapses on a number of occasions. Critically, management must lead by example in maintaining discipline with the manager having the ultimate responsibility in this area. One incident in a season is one too many. Where we fail to meet our own standards there must be accountability. We should avoid the temptation to shoot the messenger. “If the cap fits wear it.”

Tony Grace (1935-2020)Tony Grace, Ballycapple died on 9th February. He was a member of the Kilruane MacDonaghs minor panel that won the club’s inaugural divisional title in that grade with a victory over Nenagh in 1952. Tony was a corner-back in the traditional mould. He had a great interest in sport but hurling was his favourite. Tony enjoyed hunting and shooting and the rural way of life appealed to him. His dogs were very special to him and he took loving care of them. Tony drove a milk lorry for his brother Billy. He was up at the crack of dawn to begin his milk round. Sunday Mass and reading the Sunday paper were part of his weekend ritual.Club members formed a guard of honour at the funeral and his coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours. Sympathy to his sister-in-law Kathleen, nephews Pat and Liam, niece Mary and extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Pat McCarthy (1938-2019)Pat McCarthy, Coolnamona died on 3rd December 2019. He bore his illness with stoicism and without complaint. Pat won a North juvenile (U15) medal in 1951 when MacDonaghs had a victory over Moneygall in Borrisokane. In 1960 he added North and County junior hurling medals with Kilruane getting the better of Ballinahinch in the divisional final and overcoming Moycarkey-Borris in the County decider in Borrisoleigh to become Tipperary champions.The McCarthy family has made a major contribution to hurling in the parish. Pat’s father Hugh was an outstanding hurler in the 1920s. Pat’s brothers Gerry and Joe won North senior hurling medals in 1959 and 1965 with Gerry captaining the 1959 side. Joe is one of our honorary vice-presidents.Two near fatal accidents, one a car crash, the other a farm machinery incident shaped Pat’s career and forced him back to life in Coolnamona. However, he quickly became the cog in the whole family operation with his administration of farm accounts, mechanical

expertise, gardening and cooking. His dedication to caring for both his parents in their later years was exceptional. Pat enjoyed many foreign trips to places such Spain, Florida, Cape Canaveral, the Hoover Dam and Las Vegas.At the funeral club members formed a guard of honour and the coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours. Sympathy to his brothers John, Joe, Gerry & Fr. Michael, sister-in-law Dympna and extended family. Suaimhneas síoraí dó.

Charley McLoughney (1942-2020)On 13th July Charley passed to his eternal reward after a short illness borne with typical fortitude and forbearance. Charley was born in Coolagorna, Ardcroney in July 1942. He attended the local national school and headed to St. Flannan’s for his secondary education. As a fifteen-year-old Charley won Harty and All-Ireland Colleges medals in 1958 on a side that included club colleague Joe Williams.He emerged on to the MacDonaghs senior team in 1960 and while he didn’t feature in the North final loss to Toomevara he nailed down a starting berth for the County quarter-final victory over Marlfield. Charley kept his place for the semi-final where Toomevara recorded a four-point victory before going on to capture the Dan Breen.That great Toomevara side proved to be a stumbling block for MacDonaghs in the early sixties with the Greyhounds recording North semi-final victories in 1961 and 1963 and depriving Kilruane of the title in the 1962 final. Charley and his colleagues persevered and were duly rewarded when Len Gaynor led MacDonaghs to victory over Lorrha in the 1965 final. Charley lined out at centre-forward on that team with his brother Tom wearing the number fourteen jersey. Although on the losing side in the County semi-final against Thurles, Charley gave an impressive display on Tony Wall and was called on to the Tipperary panel for the National League. He captained the Tipperary team that played Wexford in the first match played in MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan in May 1966. He continued playing club hurling until 1970. Charley was a fearless competitor in an era where few prisoners were taken on the hurling field. In his regular position of centre-forward he came up against some great centre-backs who were plying their trade in North Tipperary. Charley retired at a relatively young age but retained more than a passing interest in the fortunes of MacDonaghs. In recent years he had the pleasure of seeing his grandchildren continue the family tradition in the black and white jersey. Greyhounds were Charley’s abiding passion. He was a familiar figure in the Markets Field, Limerick where he turned out a few winners. Charley had the honour of breeding the winner of the English Derby in 1982. He sold a dog called Liosgarbh Strand to an English buyer and that greyhound, running under the new name of Lauries Panther, claimed the coveted title. It was a proud moment for Charley when he was present in

the White City Stadium, London to witness the dog he bred justify 6/4 favouritism in the Blue Riband of greyhound racing. It was Charley’s one and only venture outside the Emerald Isle. At the funeral his coffin was draped in the black and white colours and members of the MacDonaghs club formed a guard of honour as Charley made his final journey to Ardcroney Church. Sympathy to his wife Nora, sons Shane, Cathal and Enda, daughters Yvonne and Ciara, sister Alice, brothers Tom and Paddy & extended family.Go soilsí solas na bhFlaitheas air.

Dick Teefey (1940-2020)Dick Teefey, formerly Ashley Park died in Oldham, England. He won a North U17 medal in 1957 with his native Kiladangan overcoming Borrisokane in the final. Dick lined out at wing-forward in that victory. He was goalkeeper on the Kiladangan team that won the inaugural U21 hurling championship in 1959 with a victory over Borrisokane in the decider that was played in Nenagh. Dick went on to play senior hurling with his club until 1963. In 1964 he transferred to Kilruane MacDonaghs and lined out at wing-forward on the junior team that overcame Lorrha in that year’ divisional final. Dick finished top scorer in that game with a tally of 1-3 to his name. The following year he was a member of the senior team, captained by Len Gaynor, that claimed the Frank McGrath Cup. Dick was introduced as a second half substitute in that dramatic victory over Lorrha. He played senior with MacDonaghs for two more years before emigrating to England. Dick returned home for a brief period in the 1970s and threw his lot in with Kiladangan once more, lining out in the 1975 senior championship. Soon he was recrossing the Irish Sea and settled in England for the remainder of his life.Sympathy to his wife Sharon, son Dominic, daughter-in-law Kelly, brother Mick, sisters Teresa (Reilly) & Hannah (Gleeson) and extended family. Leaba I measc na naomh dó.

Tom McLoughney (1940-2021)Club President Tom McLoughney was the first Kilruane MacDonaghs clubman to win All-Ireland, Munster and Oireachtas medals. The 1962 All-Ireland final between Tipperary and Wexford was the first televised decider and Tom had the distinction of getting the first score on live television. He first came to prominence as a ten-year-old when he lined out at corner-forward on the MacDonaghs juvenile team that defeated Moneygall in the 1951 North final. In 1959 MacDonaghs ended a fifteen-year barren spell with a victory over reigning champions Toomevara in the North final. Tom gave an impressive display in the County final against Thurles and the county selectors came knocking on his door. Eleven days shy of his 19th birthday he wore the blue and gold jersey for the first time in the League against Galway in Pearse Stadium. In 1960 he won the first of his two National League medals as Tipperary overcame Cork in the final and collected his first Munster medal when Tipperary toppled the Rebels. Wexford caused a major shock when beating Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. A win over Cork in the Oireachtas final provided some compensation for Tom.Tom won his second National League medal in 1961 and in September he realised every young hurler’s ambition when he won his first All-Ireland senior hurling medal. He wore the number 14 jersey on the Tipperary team that had a narrow victory over Dublin in the final. Tom ended the year on a high note, winning his second Oireachtas medal with a victory over Wexford in a replay. Thus Tipperary had completed the League, Championship and Oireachtas treble. His last appearance in the blue and gold was in the 1963 National League final when Tipperary lost out to Waterford. It had been a short but very successful stint in the blue and gold jersey. Tom had played with and against some of the greatest names in hurling. On the club front Tom collected his second North senior medal when MacDonaghs had a dramatic victory over Lorrha in the 1965 final. He continued playing with MacDonaghs until 1971. When Tom retired from playing he continued to be active in the club.. He was a selector when MacDonaghs won the three-in-a row North and County titles between (1977-1979) and a County selector in 1980. He was selected at full-forward on the North Tipperary Centenary hurling team (1951-2001). Tom was first appointed to the club committee in 1988. In 2010 he was elected Vice-President of Kilruane MacDonaghs and was appointed as one of our Presidents in 2013. The Tipperary County Board honoured him with a Sean-Ghael Award in 2012. In later life Tom developed a great passion for golf and he particularly enjoyed the retired intercounty players golfing trips abroad. Two former hurlers eloquently summed up Tom. One said that he was a gentleman on and off the field while the other said Tom epitomised greatness and humility in equal measures in a life well lived.

To his wife Marie, daughters Eleanor & Mary, son Jack, his brother Paddy, sister Alice, grandson Ronan, son-in-law James, daughter-in-law Bairbre and extended family. Go ndéana Dia trócaire air.

Oisín Williams (2004-2021)The tragic and unexpected death of sixteen-year-old Oisín Williams, Deerpark, Cloughjordan stunned the parish and the Kilruane MacDonaghs Club. His passing at such a young age left the community reeling. From an early age Oisín and his hurl were inseparable, a hurl in one hand and the sliotar in the other. MacDonagh Park was his second home and it was both poignant and appropriate that during his funeral the Tricolour flew at half-mast in the pitch where he spent so many happy hours. In 2014 Oisín was part of the U12 panel that did the divisional double in hurling and football and went on to add the County title in hurling. In 2016 he was a pivotal figure in the attack as Cloughjordan School won the North Football championship. 2018 was a vintage year for Oisín. He was a key player on the U14 team that won North & County Divisional Féile and Championship titles. During a long campaign he had finished top scorer. In the County final victory over Arravale Rovers Oisín grabbed two crucial goals while in the North Final he had helped himself to 2-1. Goals were his currency. He rarely settled for a point and went in search of the green flag. Oisín will be long remembered for his winning goal in the County Féile Final against Rockwell/Rosegreen in Templemore. Deep into injury time Kilruane MacDonaghs trailed by two points. Oisín stepped up to a 25m metre free and sent a daisy-cutter to the net to give victory to the Magpies. He went on to play U16 and minor with the club and was part of this year’s U17, U19 and U21 panels. Oisín played with both the North & County U14 hurling and football teams and the County U15 hurling team. This year he was part of the Tipperary minor hurling development squad. Two of Oisín’s coaches were fulsome in their praise. Paudie Malone from Portroe said that “Oisín was a young player with blistering pace who had a knack of scoring goals. He would always greet you with a smile and a little chat.” Eamon Power from Ballina said that “Oisín was the life and soul of the dressing room with the Tipperary academy in recent years, always smiling, a serious hurler and a natural goalscorer.” Oisín who was a student in Borrisokane Community College was a talented soccer player and he lined out with both Ardcroney and Moneygall. In recent years he developed a great interest in greyhounds with Donal Kelly from Borris-in Ossory taking Oisín under his wing.In compliance with current guidelines club members paid a dignified tribute at Oisín’s funeral. He was laid to rest wearing the Kilruane MacDonaghs jersey which he had worn with distinction in his career that was all too brief. Sympathy is extended to his father Pat, mother Liz, brothers Thomas, David and Páidi, sisters Leah & Ciara, his grandparents Pat & Noreen and extended family. I measc na naingeal.

Sean Ryan (1930-2021)The death of Sean Ryan, Dernasling, Ardcroney in his 91st year has severed yet another link with the successful 1959 MacDonaghs senior side. In 1954 he was a member of the junior panel that overcame Kilcommon to win the North final. Two years later he lined out at wing-back on the junior team that regained the divisional title with a victory over Toomevara. In 1957 he nailed down a place on the senior team and was ever present in the side until his retirement at the end of the 1961 season. Sean played in his first North senior final in 1958 when MacDonaghs had to give second best to Toomevara. The following year he played a pivotal role in the defence as Kilruane got the better of Toomevara to capture the Murphy Cup. In the County final against Thurles he did a tremendous job in policing Jimmy Doyle but despite a great effort by MacDonaghs a late surge saw Sarsfields take the title. The great Greyhounds side of that era deprived Sean of a second North senior medal when they triumphed in the 1960 decider. After MacDonaghs fell at the semi-final hurdle in 1961, Sean retired. During his career he was acknowledged by friend and foe as a tenacious defender and a renowned man marker. At his funeral club members provided a socially distanced Guard of Honour and his coffin was draped in the MacDonaghs colours. As a mark of respect the Tricolour in MacDonagh Park flew at half-mast. Sympathy is extended to his wife Margaret, sons Brendan, Oliver & John, brothers Tony and Pat, sisters Maureen, Ena & Noreen, daughters-in-law Michelle, Anne & Bridget, grandchildren, greatgrandchild, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and extended family. Leaba I measc na naomh dó.

Paddy Hyland (1944-2021)Paddy Hyland, was born in Loughane, and went to school in Cloughjordan where he learned the love of the Irish language from his teachers Peggy Hogan and Roche Williams He played juvenile, minor and junior hurling with Kilruane MacDonaghs. In 1958 he was wing-forward on the U15 team that lost the North final against Lorrha. He lined out at midfield on the junior team that overcame Lorrha in the 1964 North final. He also played hurling for Spiddal and trained a number of teams for that club.Paddy began working with Údarás na Gaeltachta in 1975 and was appointed chief executive in 2005 and held that position until his retirement in 2011. Paddy was always very active in community affairs. He was chairman of a local organisation Gaelachtamh which promoted community initiatives in Connemara — traditional music, sean-nós singing etc. Music, singing, sport and collecting books were his great interests. Paddy composed a number of songs. Sympathy to Paddy’s family, his brother Liam, sisters Chrissie & Pauline. Go soilsí solas na bhFlaitheas air.