The Late Paddy Conroy The second of the two great stalwarts of Gaelic football in Granemore has passed to his eternal home with the death of Paddy Conroy. When Gaelic football was talked about in Granemore or mention of the world of Gaelic football in Granemore was spoken about in any part of Ireland, the names of Paddy Conroy and Mickey O'Neill were always to the fore. Paddy and Mickey were the driving force behind the Granemore club for many years and their epitaph can be written in the bedrock of the legacy they left behind with the St Mary's football field - Pairc Naomh Mhuire - and the St Mary's Hall. Paddy Conroy can be described as the arch-Gaelic example as he lived his life for the GAA, as player in his early days and fervent club official in later life. Paddy played his first football for Granemore in 1941 when, as a member of the Granemore team of that year, he helped to bring the Halpin Cup to Granemore as winners of the parish League, with the defeat of the Anna Liza's team in the final in Ballymacnab. He not only played but also got his name on the score-board on that occasion. Fr Francis McFadden, a curate in Granemore, was one of the founders of the Parish League at this time, with games played between Granemore, Ballymacnab, Clady, Mullabrack, Corran and Foley, with the Foley team known as Anna Liza's. The Parish League only lasted a few years until the Keady Street League and was founded in 1947 and Granemore entered a team under the name of Tassagh with a committee consisting of Chairman Tommy John Toner, Secretary James Kissane and members Paddy Conroy, Mick McGrath, Frank McAneney, Tom McArdle, Jim McClelland and Barney O'Neill. Gaelic football in the county was now getting better organised on a countywide basis and in November 1950 Paddy and John Kavanagh cycled to Troden's Hotel in Armagh to affiliate a Granemore Gaelic team to the Armagh Mid-Division board. Paddy was elected as Chairman of this first Granemore GAA committee with John Kavanagh as Secretary and Mickey O'Neill as Treasurer. Paddy's love for the game and his dedicated commitment to St Mary's club lasted for the rest of his life, as from that day in November 1950 he was an active committee member. Although carrying on a very busy farming life with the commitment and time required to his daily farming activities, Paddy could always find time for football and his club. He was on the field development committee from its inception after the purchase of ground from the parish in 1980, and was one of the main driving forces behind the many fundraising activities carried out to acquire the necessary cash to develop the grounds and build the new hall. He found time to help with the ambitious undertaking of the Ford Fiesta car raffle and travelled to Ballycastle and Ballinasloe, among other places, with the car on tow to sell tickets. The official opening of the new Granemore GFC playing field - Pairc Naomh Mhuire - in 1984 was a memorable day for Paddy and he was co-editor of the Granemore book, which was published for the Official Opening. This book, not only outlining the history of the St Mary's Club, but a historical account of the many other activities and events down the years in the Granemore area, has been acknowledged as a worthy source of information by many people. Paddy served on the Armagh County Board as the Granemore representative for many years and was elected to the County Board Executive in 1971 for his work and duty, not only to his club but also to his County. He was voted Club Official of the Year in Armagh in 1982. The official opening of the St Mary's Hall and changing room facilities was another highlight of Paddy's life as he saw the enormous potential of these facilities to increase the awareness and foster the love of Gaelic games in the area. In these last few years, ill health meant that Paddy was forced to take a less active part in the day to day activities of the club but nevertheless he kept abreast of all the happenings and was always on hand to give advice and guidance when asked. He was Joint President of St Mary's GFC, along with Mickey O'Neill, for these last number of years and never missed the yearly Football convention. Paddy not only was a dedicated supporters of the Granemore team, but also followed the fortunes of the county team all his life, attending all county games and never missing an All-Ireland Final in many years. Another memorable occasion in Paddy's life was when he attended Croke Park for the All-Ireland Final of 2002 and saw Armagh win the Sam Maguire Cup. He was overjoyed to receive 'Sam', which was brought personally to his home at Tassagh and to celebrate the occasion with his family and friends. Paddy has left a legacy of enormous wealth in dedication and commitment to the Granemore club and his shoes will be hard to fill but he gave his sons and daughters the example to follow and they will no doubt follow the road he planned on that November day in 1950. To his wife, Teresa, sons Malachy, Michael, Brian and Seamus, daughters Rosemary and Briege, brother Jim and the entire Conroy family circle, the St Mary's GAA club, Granemore community thank Paddy for his life long dedication and commitment to our club. May he rest in peace and enjoy the fruits of his labour with his family, friends and fellow Gaels in heaven. Suaimhneas siorai da anam. Joe McGleenan, Secretary, Granemore GFC. Courtesy of the Armagh Observer, March, 2004. Tweet

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