The late Paddy Lynch. The death had taken place of Paddy Lynch, Camlough, one of Armagh;s most respected and dedicated gaels. While he had been in hospital for some weeks beforehand, his passing at the relatively early age of seventy was still a shock to many, not least his immediate family. Hundreds attended the wake at his home on the Quarter Road and Carrickcruppen Chapel was filled for the funeral Mass said by Rev Bobby McKenna as his immediate family and family circle, members of the local community and people from many sporting and cultural groups came to pay their last respects. Paddy especially renowned on the sports scene for his huge contribution as a player, manager and supporter. He was a prominent and active member of the Carrickcruppen club all his life. He played full forward on the senior championship winning side of1959 and 20 years later saw the McKillop Cup come back to the club for the first of three successes in this memorable managerial reign. His enthusiasm for all things Irish was deep and total. His support for the county was as intense as his support for Carrickcruppen and very few attended more matches than he did, usually in the company of John O'Reilly, his travelling companion for over thirty years. As a player and manager he was a tough man who demanded and got results. But this toughness was built into his enthusiasm and commitment, and he could not bear people not giving their best. He was a good conversationalist who held strong opinions but did not impose them. Paddy Lynch was a very generous and warm hearted man. He enjoyed the company of fellow sporting peers in the local community and beyond. He loved to reminisce on the old times, notably the great club and county games and few could line out a team or better see what the problems were in any given performance. A great personality and family man is gone and he will be missed. But his family can be assured that in his life he fully gave of himself to the wellbeing of his community, club, county and country. He made a real difference. Speaking form Stornaway in the Western Isles of Scotland, Councillor Pat McGinn said that there was a deep sadness throughout the area at the news of the death of Paddy Lynch. He said he was recognised by all as a committed gael and was a major driving force in the development of the GAA in not only his club Carrickcruppen, but throughout the county of Armagh. Paddy was a respected Irish republican. Forwarding his sincere sympathies to the family the Major stated that Paddy Lynch "had touched all our lives and he will be sadly missed". He is survived by his sons Peter and Eamon, daughters Roisin, Nuala, Bronagh and Mairead, his grandchildren, his brothers Tommy and Finn, and sister Mrs Mary McAnuff. To these and to the entire family circle, we extend our condolences at this time. The death of Paddy lynch had robbed the club of one of the real characters of local GAA life. Paddy was involved in every facet of the club from its inception. He played full forward on the team that brought the first championship to Carrickcruppen in 1959. Along with Cathal Boylan and Mickey McCann he managed the team to two further championships wins in the late 70s, winning the All-County league in 1980 and taking the team to the Ulster Club final in the same year. He was heavily involved in Scor in its informative years and was instrumental in helping Michael McKeown bring the first All-Ireland Scor win in the Recitation Section. When he ceased playing, he became involved in the running of the club and was chairman for a number of years being instrumental in the development of the field on its present site. Paddy was never one to call a spade a digging implement, his forthright views based on years of experience at all levels of GAA life both at local and county and national level. We send our condolences to his sons and daughters and entire family circle Courtesy of The Armagh Examiner 04 April 2006 Tweet

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