The Late Pad Joe Cronin, On a Saturday, Pad Joe Cronin of Ballymartle was laid to rest in a little rural cemetery in Cullen near Riverstick. He is now resting in the heratland of his parish and community which he serve honestly and faithfully throughout his life. The place will be much the poorer for his passing. From his early days attending national school he developed a great interest and love for our national games. His club Ballymartle was much to the fore in hurling and this code became his main interest. He was fifteen years of age when he attended his first game in Cork's Athletic Grounds and subsequently he went back countless times to follow his own beloved Ballymartle and of course Cork hurlers. At the age of nineteen he was elected secretary of the Ballymartle club in 1951. He held this position until 1957. He was one of the youngest officers in South East Cork, but he performed his duties with great dedication and honesty. In 1957 he sailed for England, like so many other young men in those days. He settled near Luton in London and soon made contact with the local G.A.A club in Aylesbury. He was very active here and reenacted the same dedication and effort as he had done previously at home. IN LUTON In Luton he always longed to meet people visiting from Cork to get some home news. An old friend from Cork, Con Murphy, the secretary of Cork County Board, often met Pad Joe when Cork teams would visit London. He befriended many Cork people who went to live there, including Jimmy Harding from the Kennel Boreen in Shanbally, who served as a delegate and officer to the South East Cork Board. After twelve years away he returned to his beloved parish of Ballymartle where he spent the rest of his life giving so much of his time for his club and community. In 1970 Pad Joe was elected as a member of the South East Board G.P.C. and also was elected secretary of the South East Board and for the next six years he served the Division with great distinction. In 2001 he was honoured by the South East Board when he received the Hall of Fame award at Kinsale's Acton's Hotel. He was surely a most deserving recipient. After returning from England he worked for Good's Milling Company in Kinsale for a period of 28 years. Again his loyalty and dedication to duty in the work place saw him much appreciated by both management and customers alike. Pad Joe's greatest attribute was his honesty. His word was his bond and he always manifested his honesty by being fair and truthful. Such people made life so easy and less erratic for others. All those who came in touch with him were hugely impressed and regarded him highly. He found it very difficult to say no. There was an occasion in Riverstick many years ago one Sunday morning when two juvenile teams were scheduled to play a championship match in torrents and Pad Joe was the only Ballymartle official present. He had prepared the pitch for the game and got a good wetting for his troubles. Just as he was about to leave he was called back by the two teams as the appointed referee had not come. He was prevailed upon to referee the game and he did so and got a second wetting for his trouble. Another person would have absconded as quickly as possible. When the first South East adult Scor finals were held in the old Crystal Ballroom in Carrigaline, a call went out for the Ballymartle solo singer to come forward. There was silence and no person checked in back stage. Just as the Fear an Ti was about to call the next club and shout rang out from the back of the hall, Ballymartle had an entrant for the solo singing. Pad Joe would not let his club down. The massive attendance at both his removal and funeral surely bore out the huge respect for this genuine and decent man. There was a large guard of honour drawn up from his club at Ballymartle and the South East Board. His coffin was draped in the green and gold of Ballymartle and his final journey along the country road to Cullen was without haste and great dignity. Parish priest an tAthair O Murchu led the concelebrated Mass and paid a glowing tribute to an unselfish parish and community worker. Con Murphy, President of Cork County Board and South-East Board, rendered a very fitting graveside oration. Pad Joe was now at rest and those he left behind were all the poorer with his passing. People came from far and wide to say their goodbyes and pay tribute. The G.A.A was led by Mr. Jim Forbes, Chairman of Cork County Board. Also present were Frank Murphy, Secretary of Cork County Board, John Twomey, Chairman of the South East Board, John Middleton, Vie Chairman, South East Board, Liam Webb, Hon. Secretary, and Willie Coleman, development Officer. Joe Hallissey, Chairman of Ballymartle, led a huge group of officers and members of the club. Former South East Board officers present included Colm Harrington, Joe O'Driscoll and Dermot O'Brien. Representing the Referees Committee were Ger Harrington and Pat O'Neill. Many of the clubs of South East Cork sent their representatives and so did clubs from further afield. Many of his old customers at Goods were there too to salute and pay tribute to this good man. Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Eileen, his sisters, Eileen, Essie, Maura, Rose and brother Frank, is many nephews and nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends and neighbours. Go ndeanna Dia trocaire ar a hanam dilis. Courtesy of the Southern Star, March, 2004. Tweet

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