Obituary: Longford mourns death of GAA stalwart and brilliant mechanic Paddy Nolan

The parishes of Killashee and Lanesboro were plunged into a sense of grief on the morning of Monday September 7 as word spread of the death of Paddy Nolan, Magheraveen, Lanesboro and formerly of Derryadd, Killashee who passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at his home following an illness bravely borne.

Paddy had been in failing health for the past two years but he bore his affliction through the last few months with his characteristic charming smile and humour and optimism and had remained in contact with his many friends, former GAA colleagues and workmates through phone calls and text messages throughout his treatment, keeping up with how his beloved St Brigid’s were doing on the football pitch.

Paddy was born the second eldest child of a family of ten to Peter and Annie Nolan of Derryadd, Killashee. He went to Cloontagh National School and later to Lanesboro Vocational School.

After finishing school he served his apprenticeship with Paddy Kenny’s Garage in Lanesboro.

Some years later he took up a supervisory position with Cameron Willis in Longford. Throughout his 31 years at the company, Paddy was an excellent colleague to all, always helpful and considerate. He had a wonderful aptitude toward recognising problems and dealing with them.

Paddy had a great love for farming and he always made sure his stock were well looked after and he enjoyed the great co-operation he got from and gave to his neighbours.

He gave great dedication to the rearing of the farm stock and also gave great attention to the rearing of his turf, his winter fuel.

Paddy was also very capable around the house doing many of the chores as well as being a dab hand at cooking.

He had a strong and personal faith and his preference was always to attend early mass every Sunday. However, Paddy’s great devotion was the fortunes of St Brigid’s Killashee Club where he was a dedicated volunteer, mentor, selector and committee member down through the years.

Paddy would travel anywhere for matches to support both club and county teams, often acting as unofficial transport for club members both young and old.

As a youngster, Paddy honed his GAA skills along with 18 to 20 other young boys and girls in Jim Rhattigan’s field in Derryadd, long before there was ever talk of GAA, LGFA and Camogie Integration, so you could say he was very much a visionary.

Paddy was a very versatile player, he could play in goals, backs or forwards.

He was a member along with his brothers Tom and Peter he was a vital part of the famous 1974 Intermediate championship winning team.

His playing days were decorated with further success including Junior titles in 1985 and 1989 when he came out of retirement to play in goals.

The pinnacle of his success was of course in 1985 when he was Chairperson of the club and player when St Brigid’s defeated Moydow in the Longford Junior championship.

Paddy later went on to be a chairperson in his adopted parish of Rathcline where he was chairperson of the Ladies club as he kept a very close eye on the footballing fortunes of his daughter Partrice and her team mates.

It was current Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who pushed through the workplace smoking ban legislation as Health Minister in 2004, but long before the existence of any such ‘ban’, Paddy enjoyed the puff of his cigarette and it was common place to see a few plumes of smoke waft through half time dressing rooms. Mightn’t see too much of it nowadays!

Past and present players of St Brigid’s Killashee repaid that devotion to Paddy, providing a guard of honour at his funeral on Thursday. The huge attendances at both his reposing at his home and funeral Mass are testament to the high esteem in which he was held.

Above all else, Paddy was a loyal, loving and devoted family man, dedicated to his wife Ann, sons Kevin and David and daughter Patrice.

Indeed, he had a great love of dancing and music and it was at a dance in the Sliabh Bán Hotel that he met his wife-to-be Ann Brehon and they recently celebrated their 47th Anniversary.

Paddy spent his final days peacefully at home, surrounded by his cherished family.

Paddy was predeceased by his parents Peter and Annie, his sister Winnie and recently his brother Tom, who passed away on Thursday, April 9 at his home.

Paddy will be forever remembered by his wife Ann (née Brehon), his treasured children David, Kevin and Patrice, his daughters-in-law Caroline and Sarah, his son-in-law Adrian Minnock, his adored grandchildren Hannah, Holly, Harry, Lucy, Maeva, Sienna and Camilla, his brother Peter, his sisters Nancy, Margaret Burke, Jean Lynch, Kathleen Duffy, Helen and Irene McNally, his sister-in-law Linda, his brothers-in-law, his nieces and nephews, the extended Nolan and Brehon families and his wonderful neighbours and friends.

After his funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church, Lanesboro he was laid to rest in Clontuskert Cemetery.

Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.