The Late Paddy-Joe Reilly "Paddy-Joe is dead". No need for surname as news of the death of one of Derrylin's best known and loved residents filtered out on Saturday morning, 7th July. Patrick Joseph O'Reilly of Camletter had passed to his eternal reward after a valiant struggle with illness over the last ten years. He was pre-deceased by his mother, just seven months ago. Paddy Joe was in his seventieth year - a surprise to many due to his love of life, his outgoing personality and sociable nature. He begun his working life with Fermanagh County Council, moved to London, then to Dublin and finally back to his paternal homestead where he assisted with his brother's contracting business and on the family farm. A man with an encyclopedic knowledge of Gaelic Games, he settled many a discussion by quoting chapter and verse statistics regarding long forgotten matches. In a time before results were easily accessible through the mass media, Paddy bought a national daily newspaper every Monday and became as familiar with club matches in Waterford and Cork as with his native Fermanagh. Not only that but he could name players, their clubs, their positions on the field and how much they scored in practically every major match for the past fifty years. His ability to mime the commentaries of the late Michael O'Heihir is legendary, often embellished to the delight of his audience. Apart from the Derrylin O'Connells, for whom he sold countless tickets, and Fermanagh, he favoured the Down team of 1960. Fr McKiernan remarked at the reception of Paddy's remains on the Sunday evening, it was ironic that Fermanagh had won their first match of the year and claimed a place in the second round of the All Ireland qualifiers a few hours earlier. Paddy's other great passions in life were traditional music, song, drama and in particular, recitation. In his younger days he was involved in local drama groups and along with his brothers was an enthusiastic follower of Aughakillymaude Mummers. He enlivened many a social gathering with his monologues and stories, always in good taste and delivered in his own unique and individual style. It was entirely appropriate the, that, in a tribute at the end of his Requiem Mass John Murphy read out Paddy's favourite recitation. "The Mountain Face" by the late Matt Duggan. To his brothers and sister and extended family circle go the condolences of the entire community. A good friend, a kindly neighbour and an entertaining character has left memories for many a long night. Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald 18 July 2007 Tweet

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