Cork GAA is mourning the death of former county football star Paddy Harrington, who played a huge part in nurturing the golfing talent of his famous son Padraig. Aged 72, Paddy hailed from the fishing village of Castletownbere but spent many years in Dublin where he was based as a garda. He played in two All-Ireland football finals with Cork in the 1950s, losing on both occasions. In 1956, Cork were defeated by Galway while there was further disappointment for Paddy in '57 when they surprisingly lost to Louth. In 1956, he played at half back on the Cork team which defeated Meath in the National League final. And he represented Munster in the Railway Cup between 1958 and '63. Paddy was a driving force behind the foundation and building of the Garda Siochana's own golf club in Stackstown, Co. Dublin. And it was on this course that Paddy's five sons, Tadhg, Columb, Fintan, Feargal and Padraig, were introduced to the game which would make Padraig world famous. Paddy fought off cancer several years ago, but the disease returned in March and refused to go away. As a result of his death, Padraig has withdrawn from the British Open at St. Andrew's. Tweet

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