Maguire, Paddy
January 04, 2012He lived with his son, Martin and his daughter-in-law, Claire at Coragh Derrylin.
The deceased had enjoyed excellent health, successfully undergoing major surgery in October, 2007 and again in March, '09. He had a terrific attitude to life, not least his bouts of ill-health.
He and his late wife, Winnie, who died in 1997, had two children, Martin and Imelda, and three grandchildren, Dervla, Evelyn and Conal. Imelda (Kayhan) lives in Carrickfergus.
Paddy, who is further survived by his sister-in-law, Vera in Enniskillen was employed until his retirement by Fermanagh District Council and was well-known village orderly in Derrylin.
A touching profile of the deceased was given by his friend, and club colleague, Tommy Gunn at yesterday's large-attended funeral Mass in St Ninnidh's Church.
He told the congregation: "My first memory of Paddy Maguire is, as a small boy, watching from the edge of the crowd on Easter Sunday 1953 as the was carried to an ambulance by his team-mates on a makeshift stretcher.
"He had suffered a broken leg playing for Derrylin O'Connells in the old football field across the road from where we are now gathered.
"My last memory of Paddy is just a week before his death when I visited him in the Graan Nursing Home. The conversation, though limited, in evitably made its way round to football. I asked him if he would be able to tog out for the team on Sunday.
In a low voice he said "Hardly" then a moment later added: "But if you are stuck, I'll stand on the edge of the square".
Tommy suggested that, during his long life, Paddy stood on the edge of the square many times for the good of others.
In the annals of Cumann Luthchleas Gael, he would be remembered as a stalwart of Gaelic Games in Derrylin for almost 70 years.
He recalled that Paddy first donned the black and white jersey of the famed Knockninny Harps as a 16 year old and played his first match against parish neighbours, Teemore Shamrocks.
He continued to play with the Harps until their amalgamation with the recently formed Derrylin O'Connells in the mid 1940s. He was now coming to his prime as a player and was the mainstay of the team.
Although, physically very strong, he was a very clean player. And, it was at midfield alongside this clubmate Benny Lunney, that he was selected for the Fermanagh, a position he held onto for many years.
Lisnaskea Emmets
In 1949, he was headhunted by Lisnakea Emmetts and long with Sonny Gunn, he starred on that team which won the 'double' f league and championship in 1950, these being the only Derrylin men ever to achieve the double.
But, in '51, he returned to his native heath and along with dedicated others, reformed the O'Connells and became Secretary and Co Board representative while continuing as an outstanding player on the field.
On his return to the playing arena, following his leg break, he gave sterling service at full back: " His proudest day in an O'Connells jersey was in Lisnaskea on Sunday 15 September 1957 when the team became Fermanagh Junior Football League Champions. He was most disappointed when he was unable to attend the Golden Jubilee Gala Ball to commemorate that victory in 2007 due to his illness."
On his retirement from playing, he became a referee at a time when games were often over physical in nature.
Tommy remarked: "Paddy's common sense approach, respect from players and innate good humour brought successful conclusions to many potentially fractious encounters."
In turn, he became an increasingly influential figure in the affairs of Fermanagh County Board.
He was elected as registrar and county team selector and helped guide Fermanagh to their historic 1959 All-Ireland Junior Football title.
In 2004 his contribution to the affairs of the GAA in Fermanagh was suitably recognised in 2004 when along with Benny Lunney, he was formally enrolled in their Hall of Fame.
Following his withdrawal from these administrative duties, he became Honourary Vice President of Derrylin O'Connells Club and was a regular attender of all events as long as he was able.
The congregation was told that Paddy was an accomplished Irish dancer who competed with the local dance troupe at feiseanna and aeridheachta, winning many trophies and dancing at the prestigious Feis Colmchille in Derry's Guildhall.
He was a regular contributor at social events as organiser, fear an tighe or performer and was renowned for his party piece singing of "Sitting on the bridge below the town".
Mr Gunn concluded: "Today we gather as a community of faith to say farewell to Paddy, a gentleman and also a 'gentle man'.
We thank him for his contribution to this community and Cumann Luthchleas Gael in particular.
The funeral Mass in St Ninnidh's Church, Derrylin was celebrated by Fr Fintan McKiernan, PP.
The funeral arrangements were undertaken by Pat Blake, Derrylin.
Courtesy of The Fermanagh Herald
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