The Late Peadar Doyle The entire area of Cornafean and the surrounding locality was shocked and saddened by the death of Peadar Doyle, one of the area's most illustrious and respected figures. Peadar died peacefully in the Esker Lodge Nursing Home, Cavan on Monday 25th November after a short illness. He was just a few months short of his 82nd birthday. Peadar will be remembered as an immensely likable, friendly and generous man, with a keen sense of humour and fun. He was a wonderfully colourful and often outspoken personality, who was never afraid to us his considerable oratorical skills to argue passionately for any cause he espoused. Over the years, he made many friends throughout the length and breadth of Ireland in his long career as a Gaelic footballer and later as a prominent GAA official. His generous, warm-hearted and kindly nature were well known to everyone he met. A man of immense religious faith and devotion, Peadar always practiced his Christianity in a very modest and self-effacing manner. He was a lifetime member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, and his practical temperance was always a shining example to others. Peader spent most of his working life as a Community Welfare Officer for the Department of Social Welfare, where his work involved attending to the needs of many of those less fortunate in society. He was well known for his firm but unyieldingly fair approach to his work an throughout his career he was always extremely modest and discreet in looking after the interests of those in need. Of his many achievements, it is undoubtedly his contribution to the GAA, both as a player and as an administrator that many people will most immediately and fondly remember of Peadar Doyle. It is no exaggeration to say that Peadar Doyle will be remembered as one of the 'giants' of Cornafean GAA club, since its inception in 1908. A lifetime stalwart for Cornafean, Peadar ranks among the greatest of the players which backboned the mighty Cornafean football teams for much of the 20th century. His first came into the Cornafean team in 1938 when he joined such stars as Big Tom O'Reilly, Willie Young, Josie Martin and Mick Dinneny on the team that defeated Gowna in that year's County final. This Victory came during the club's "Golden era" when they won five county championship titles in succession, and a total of eight titles in the nine years between 1932 and 1940. In 1938, Peadar was also a member of the Cavan team which defeated Kerry in a thrilling All Ireland Minor final. A free scoring corner forward on that team, Peadar scored a goal in Cavan's 3-3 to 0-8 win over the kingdom in the final. A year later, he starred on the Cavan minor team that lost to Monaghan by a single point, in the replayed Ulster final. He was also to the fore on the Cornafean teams that won county titles in 1939, '40 and '43. During these years Peadar also made a major impact on the Cavan senior team, winning a Dr. McKenna Cup medal in 1943 and an Ulster Championship medal in 1945. He was a substitute on the team beaten by Cork in the 1945 All Ireland final. Peadar went to work on Co. Louth for a number of years in the late 1940's and he played with "Wee County" for a period during this time, indeed on one occasion against his beloved Cavan in a National Football League fixture. On his return to Cavan, Peadar rejoined the county Junior team, with whom he played in 1950 and a year later in 1951 he was right half forward on the Senior side beaten by Antrim in that year's Ulster Final. In retrospect, he must be deemed extremely unlucky not to have figured in the county's Senior All Ireland winning panels in 1947, 1948 or 1952. During these years, his contribution at club level to Cornafean both on and off the field, was immense. One of the leading stars on successive Cornafean teams during the 1940's and 1950's, Peadar finest hour as a footballer was probably in the 1956 County Final when he captained Cornafean to win their 20th Senior Championship title. His inspirational display at midfield in the second half of that final was the key to Cornafean's success over a fancied Bailieboro side. After the game Peadar received the cup from County Chairman TP O'Reilly, a unique event in itself as Peadar was Vice-Chairman of the County Board at the time. His remarkable playing career continued into the 1960s during which time he remained one of the leaders of the Cornafean senior team. It was until 1972 that he played his last game for Cornafean when, aged 51, he appeared in goals for the Reds in that year's Drumkilly Tournament. He remarkable career spanned five decades in total, and it is a measure of Peadar's incredible service as a player to his beloved Cornafean that he played in his first game in the red jersey in 1938, the same year as De Valera agreed terms with the British Government to end the Economic War, and his last game for the club was thirty- four years later, in the year when the Irish people voted to join the EEC. His considerable accomplishments as a football were matched by a long career of service and achievement as a GAA administrator and legislator, during which he served both his club and his county with distinction. A County Board delegate for Cornafean from 1943 to 1956, he served as Vice Chairman of the Board from 1956 to 1963 and also as Registrar from 1965 to 1967. A gifted orator, he was a fearless defender of his native club at County Board level and his colourful and sparkling personality illuminated many a Board meeting during those years. He also represented Cavan at Congress for many years during that era. Peadar combined his responsibilities at county level with a deep involvement in the Cornafean club, serving in practically all officer positions for the club over a period of several decades. He first became club secretary in 1942 and continued in the post until 1947, before returning as Secretary again in 1952. In 1961 he was elected club Chairman and he served in this position until 1965. He again served as Chairman of the club in 1974/75. The highlight of Peadar's tenure as club Chairman was undoubtedly the acquisition, development and opening by the club of their present grounds in Cornafean, which were officially opened by Mr Harry Carey, Ulster Council President on 7th June 1964. The opening ceremony was followed by an intercounty challenge between Cavan and visitors Galway, who went on become All Ireland champions later that year. The official opening of Paric Naoimh Fionnain was the culmination of several years hard work by Peader and his fellow officers among them Fr. Brian McNamara, Tommy Brady, Tom McSein and Willie McGibney, who collectively spearheaded a mammoth project of fundraising and developing the new grounds mainly through voluntary labour. The generations who have enjoyed the benefit of the fine facilities at Cornafean Park over the past 38 years owe a massive debt of gratitude to Peadar Doyle and his colleagues. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s Peadar was also heavily involved as a manager coach and selector of many Cornafean team and his dedication and never say die attitude were invaluable to the club in the difficult years of the late 1970's and early 80's when the club struggled to survive amidst a severe decline in the population of its hinterland as result of emigration and migration. When the clubs fortunes received in the late 1980's Peadar was once again to the fore, serving as team manager in the 1988 season, and grooming an emerging side that was to go on and represent the club with distinction over the following decade and beyond. In later years, Peadar continued to be an avid Cornafean and Cavan supporter, and he regularly attended both club and county fixtures until shortly before his death. A gifted public speaker, he was a prominent and popular speaker at many Cornafean GAA functions down through the years, not least in February 2001 when was one of the guest of honour at the Presentation of the 2000 Junior Championship medals to the victorious Cornafean team. Peadar enjoyed wonderful good health and his old age remained fully active until the onset of his final illness a number of weeks ago. In recent years Peadar travelled extensively both in Ireland and abroad with his wife Una. Indeed only a few months ago, he attended this year's All Ireland final between Armagh and Kerry. He took great pride in the achievements of his own family in all facets of life, not least in the footballing exploits of his sons Seamus, Brian and Ciaran in the red jersey of Cornafean, since the early 1980's. If it ever can be said that someone lived life to the full, that tribute can surely be paid to the deepest sympathy to Peadar's family on their great loss, to his wife Una, daughters Grainne, Finola and Eithne, sons Seamus, Ciaran and Brian, sons-in-law Edward, Jim and Fergal, daughter-in-law Geraldine and future daughter-in-law Trish, his grandchildren and other relatives. There were huge attendance at the Removal of his Remains to St. Patrick's Church, Drumcor and at the Funeral Mass, with burial in the adjoining cemetery. After the burial service, his great friend George Cartwright, Chairman of Cavan GAA County Board delivered a graveside oration in his honour. Courtesy of the Longford Leader November 2002 Tweet

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