The Late Paddy Dunne

The Park-Ratheniska GAA Club was in mourning last week when the news filtered through of the passing of our most famous son, Paddy Dunne. Club President for a number of years at the time of his passing, but it was on the field of play that Paddy truly shone.

A Laois Minor Footballer over a three year period from 1945 to 1947, Paddy made his Laois Senior debut in 1949 after impressing in Park's ascension to senior ranks in 1947. Over the next decade he would make the Laois no six jersey his own, and suffered Leinster Final heartbreak as Laois were denied Provincial silverware in 51 by Mealh and 59 by Dublin. Representative honours did come Paddy's way in the form of Inter Provincial selection with Leinster however, and he would man the Leinster number six shirt over a glorious three year period of domination for the eastern Province spanning from 1952-1954. However, by his own admission, It was in the colours of his beloved Park-Ratheniska that Paddy experienced some of his greatest days. None more so than the Club's historic back to back Senior success in 1952 and 1953. Paddy held the distinction of captaining the Will McEvoy coached side on both those occasions, firstly in 52 when they defeated Ballyroan and in 53 when they overcame Portarlington, ensuring his place in the Clubs folklore for years to come.

Selection for The Rest of Ireland XV in consecutive years from 53-54 only further enhanced the great man's legacy around this golden period.
Sadly injury forced Paddy into retirement from all football in 1959. His impact on Laois GAA has never been forgotten and this was recognised with his selection on the Laois Football Team of the Millennium in his familiar no 6 geansai. As befitting a man of his stature, Paddy was inducted in the Laois GAA Hall of Fame in 2008,

The Club extend our deepest sympathies to Paddy's family and his large circle of friends throughout the country. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Courtesy of Leinster Express Tweet

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