Matthews, Patsy
December 06, 2013He had been a patient in Mullingar General Hospital over the previous week when he suddenly took ill and passed away despite the best efforts of the hospital staff. Patsy or "Goss" as he was affectionately known to his friend and family was in his seventy eight year and had lived a very full and active life until he retired although he kept a great interest in life even after retirement.
Patsy had three great interests in life, his job, sport and especially GAA and the old Saint Dominic's Hall. He was always a very lively and active person even going back to his school days when he took part in the usual things that boys did at that time. He was a constant mass server during his early years. After school he began to work in the old Mosstown estate from where he moved on to work as a van driver for Flynn's bakery in Ballymahon where he stayed for the rest in his working life. His work as a delivery man made him a very popular character with the many shopkeepers who carried on business all over South Longford. From very early on he took a very keen interest in his beloved Kenagh GAA club. Way back in 1956 when Kenagh, juveniles won the first ever title to come to the club Patsy was involved as a selector. Through his interest in the juveniles and minors he built up a great rapport with the youths and their families. On many occasions Patsy was known to have packed half a team into his car to bring them to various venues over the county. He also had a great interest in the development of Kenagh GAA pitch. Almost all his spare time went towards doing voluntary work when the grounds were first acquired. Being a handy man with tools he undertook many small building jobs like dressing rooms etc. Indeed it could be said he gave his life to Kenagh GAA club. Patsy also took a great interest in the old Saint Dominics Hall. Like many of us at the time we were in there from when it was built in 1952. He was a member and trustee of the Hall Committee for over thirty years and like his input into the pitch he carried out many small repair jobs on the old hall. He was also a keen badminton player and gave of a lot of his time to coaching younger players on the finer points of tossing the shuttle cock over the net. He also had a good interest in the horses and although not a heavy gambler he was fond of the odd flutter. Along with his various sporting pursuits he was very interested in nature and the outdoor life, a good gardener and although not a farmer he was very conversant in agricultural affairs and was an expert on bog lore and the finer points of rearing a good bank of turf. Having been associated with Patsy from our very early school days I have very fond memories of having worked alongside him as a member of the old hall committee and the GAA Club where he proved himself to be extremely loyal, up front, punctual and very straight. He had no time for nonsense or hypocrisy. Patsy never sought the limelight, he got on with the job and shunned publicity. He moved to the back when the cameras appeared. Patsy took a great pride in his extended family, very loyal to everyone let it be nephews, nieces, in laws and cousins. Patsy was a life long pioneer, very good living and quiet by nature. A guard of honour was presented by members of Kenagh GAA club who escorted his remains up the village and into the church for eleven o'clock mass on Saturday morning. His coffin was draped with the Kenagh maroon and white as a mark of respect to one of its most loyal ever members. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and associates but more especially by his many nephews, nieces, grand nephews and nieces, cousins relatives and many friends to whom we offer sincere sympathy. A recent history of Kenagh GAA club carried a page size photograph of Patsy Matthews with the caption "A great man" which says it all.
Longford Leader, 6th December 2013 Tweet
