The late Paddy Lynch There was great sadness and disbelief when the news of the death of Paddy Lynch, on 29th March, 2006, filtered through the parish. Although not unexpected, we all found it very difficult to accept. The reality of not ever being in his company again and listening to the many stories of matches played in bygone years, related so accurately by his computer-like brain, has left us with a terrible sense of loss. The only consolation we have is in the knowledge that at last Paddy is free from pain and has now joined his beloved wife Teresa, who predeceased him ten years ago. Paddy's genuine concern was always shown in times of sadness, especially if it was one of his team mates. Paddy would organise and inform all the surviving team mates to be in attendance, so it was lovely to see all the surviving members of his beloved Carrickcruppen 1959 Championship winning team, along with the other two championship winning sides that Paddy co-managed with Mickey McCann and Cathal Boylan, in attendance at his funeral. I can still see Paddy on his motorbike, with life-long friend and team mate Danny Kelly on the pillion seat, heading for the Monday night meeting in the old wooden hut on the Quarter Road. Paddy was a dedicated committee member, along with his brother Tommy. The amount of work and fundraising these two men did for Carrickcruppen GFC will never be forgotten. The present field on the Camlough Road stands as a testimony to Paddy, Tony, Owen Cromie, Mickey McCann, Terry O'Hare, Pat Monney (RIP). These men use their influence along with the talents of many others, in the completion of this fine ground in 1971. When Paddy hung up his boots in 1968, he had a Junior League medal, a Senior Championship medal, a Senior League medal and some twenty-odd cups and plaques, won in various tournaments. He became Chairman of the club and seldom missed a meeting. Many tributes have been paid to Paddy. I had the honour and privilege to have played alongside this great man for nearly 14 years - sometimes 7 nights a week, during the summer, in tournaments all over Ireland - and we all got to know each other pretty well. But I think the one attribute, above all, that we could bestow on him was humility. On a wet August Sunday in 1959, we met Maghery in the quarter final of the senior championship. Paddy played a blinder that day and Jim McKeown scored the winning goal. The rain never ceased but we had a fixture at 7.30pm that night with Armagh Harps. We drove from Maghery, put on the wet jerseys, shorts and socks and took the field to fulfil the fixture. That night Paddy gave an outstanding display against the famous Jack Brattan, rated at the time to be the best full back in Ireland. Paddy scored three goals and a point in the match, to beat the glamour team in Armagh at that time. Years later some of us were researching the history of the club and came across the report of that game. We reminded Paddy of this great feat. He laughed but asked us not to mention the score of the player - he idolised Jack so much that he thought it might embarrass him. That epitomises how considerate he was. From 1952 Paddy was a 'Cruppen player'. He ended his football career wearing the number 14 shirt, although he had spells in the half-back line and at corner forward. Paddy never suffered fools gladly and I, along with many of our team mates, got many's a rollicking from him. He was a hard man who gave all and never asked for any quarter but no matter how hard or rough the games was each player school hands at the final whistle. There were tears shed when we saw the number 14 jersey, along with the flag he loved, draped over his coffin, and many happier memories were recalled. Indeed Paddy would have been proud at how highly he was regarded. He made so many friends through his playing career and, with his very good pal John O'Reilly, travelled to all the matches over the past 30 years. He thought a lot of John - even though he was a Crossmaglen supporter! Paddy loved his county and on that never-be-forgotten Sunday in September 2002 in Croke Park, with tears streaming down his face said, "I can die happy now". Paddy was a life-long republican. His love for Ireland and Ireland's freedom never faltered. His son Peter spoke of his father being a republican when there were few to be found, something Paddy often spoke of himself. Paddy nailed his colours to the mast and kept them there. He also instilled in his children those patriotic principles and he was so proud of them. Paddy was a skilled tradesman and worked for Brown Brothers, McQuillan Bros and as a foreman with Armagh Construction, where he acquired the nickname 'Ramrod'. Many times after he retired, people came to him seeking his expert advice and experience on building. He always obliged. In the early 60's, John McKeown started a darts team with Paddy to the fore. He was a brilliant darts thrower and reached the final of the Individual championship on many occasions. He played for the Hillbillies in Newry and Doyle's in Camlough. He once had a famous 5-a-side team of which he was manager. They won tournaments all over South Down and South Armagh and had R Kinney, Sean Clerkin and A Raif, three professionals, in their ranks. On his many visits up to the Quarter Road, Paddy met and fell in love with Teresa McGleenon. They were married on Shrove Tuesday in March 1962. Paddy was a devoted husband to Teresa and they had six children: four girls and - twins Roisin and Nuala, Bronagh and Mairead and two boys - Peter and Eamon. Peter followed in his father's footsteps and was a great goalkeeper for Carrickcruppen. Paddy idolised all his children and, following the sudden death of Teresa, He told me how they were a great help and consolation to him. Paddy would have been so proud to see how many people visited the house and came to the funeral. The Seamus Steele Fein Cumann, Camlooch, who formed a Guard of Honour, and a section of the Carricruppen chapel was reserved for the teams of 1959,m 1978 and 1979. The high esteem in which Paddy Lynch was held was very evident by the huge funeral. The church was crowded to capacity for his requiem Mass, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bobby McKenna, who agave a beautiful homily. He spoke so eloquently of Paddy's great devotion to his religious duties and of his daily attendance at Mass. His son Peter gave a tear-jerking eulogy from the alter. I was very proud of him and I'm certain Paddy would have been too. Conor Murphy gave a very fitting oration at the graveside. We extend to your sons Peter and Eamon, daughters Roisin, Nuala, Bronagh and Mairead, to your sister Mary and brothers Tommy and Finn and entire family circle, our sincerest condolences. Rest well, old pal, you will be sorely missed but you are now with your loving wife Teresa. Contributed by Leo Hughes. Courtesy of the Armagh Examiner 09 May 2006 Tweet

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