Published: Wednesday, 8th July, 2009 12:00pm

Mr. Paddy Duffy - A Cavan and Monaghan football great

There is widespread regret in the Cootehill area and in Cavan and Monaghan GAA circles at the death on 6 June of Mr. Paddy Duffy at St. Christopher"s Hospice, Cavan after an illness bravely borne over the past year and half. The lifelong Gaelic games enthusiast was renowned as a great footballer in his day and was one of the few who could claim to have played at county level in two counties. His ties with football in Cavan and Monaghan were highlighted at the recent Lá na gClub event in Cootehill"s Hugh O"Reilly Memorial Park, where the medals he won with the Celts and Cavan were on display alongside those he gained with Ballybay"s Pearse Bros and Latton GFC.

Paddy was born in Broomfield, Donaghmoyne, on 2 February 1936. When the family moved to Cavan he attended Knappagh NS before being sent to St Michael"s NS in Cootehill.

In 1949, at the age of 13, Paddy finished school and took up a job at the cloth manufacturing plant on Station Road, Cootehill, where he worked for 20 years in the weaving department. He later worked for a time with Tafa, the wallpaper plant that took over at the same factory site. It was there he suffered a serious injury to his right hand, the use of which was saved by surgeon Matt McHugh (another Cavan footballer). After that he took up part-time work as a lorry driver.

Mr Duffy was a devoted family man. He and Sheila McConnon married in June 1971, and raised their two children Gavin and Tara at their new home on Bridge Street.

On the football field, he excelled at centre-field and sometimes in forward positions, and became known throughout the area. He made his name playing for Cootehill in the mid-50s, with whom he won a senior championship medal in 1955 and senior league honours in "55 and "56. He wore the Cavan jersey from 1956 to 1958, and won a medal with the Fitzsimons Cup winning county team in "58.

When it emerged that according to GAA rules at the time players had to play for the county of their birth, Paddy was welcomed to the Monaghan fold and played for the Farney county for three years from 1959 to "62. He won two senior championship medals with Ballybay in 1958 and "62 and a McMahon Cup medal with Ballybay, also in 1962. He would later win a special league medal (in 1969) with another Monaghan club, Latton GFC.

Paddy"s considerable record of achievement on the pitch was appropriately recognised last year by Ballybay Pearse Bros which honoured him with a bronze statue Hall of Fame 2008 Award. His dedication as a player was later matched by his enthusiasm as a committee member of Cootehill Celtic where he served in many positions over the years including that of chairman, vice-chairman and PRO. He always wanted the best facilities for the club and for its young people.

With a love for sports of all kinds, Paddy was a keen handballer and was fond of playing snooker (he was a founder member of the local Cootehill club), pool, darts and indoor bowls. He also spent a time refereeing GAA games for local schools.

He had a passion for soccer as well and was devoted Liverpool FC supporter. Cars were another great interest and indeed he was one of the first Cootehill people to own a car. In later years he took an interest in travelling the world, visiting the USA, Malta, Turkey, Cyprus and New Zealand.

Paddy"s removal from his residence to St. Michael"s, Cootehill, took place on Sunday 7th June at which Fr Paul Casey received his remains. Guards of honour were mounted by Cootehill Celtic, Ballybay Pearse Bros and St. Michael"s Bowls Club while some of his former Latton team-mates were among the huge attendance that bore testimony to his standing in the community.

Funeral Mass on Monday 8th, followed by burial in St. Michael"s cemetery, was celebrated by Father Owen Collins with Father Casey in attendance. A moving rendition of his favourite song, "Raglan Road" was given by his old friend Kieran "Jap" Finlay of Monaghan football fame who was accompanied by Liz Conroy of Galway on the organ.

Paddy is survived by his wife, Sheila, son Gavin (London), daughter Tara (New York), grand-daughter Emma and daughter-in-law Nicola and by his brothers Tommy, Michael, Brian and John, sisters Molly, Kathleen and Annie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of relatives and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.