The Late Paddy Kerrigan The death of Paddy Kerrigan has saddened us all. On Thursday night he slipped away, peacefully. Characteristically, there was no adieu, no fuss. He left as he would leave the stool in Mick Byrnes, stealing out the side-door without notice, gone in the space of an eye blink. It was the way he was.....quiet, retiring, self-effacing. But modesty was not the only element in Paddy Kerrigan's make-up. He was a gentle man who gave himself fully to his interests, and none benefited more from his big heart than Castlebar Mitchels. Typically, it was not on any conspicuous committee of the club that Paddy chose to lend his services. He was not one for vanity or ostentation. There was no beating of drums, or flourish of trumpets. He shrank from all of that, had to time for personal fanfares. It was as a member of the backroom team he shone,one of the unsung people of the GAA, the men who have toiled and sweated out of love for their native game, and sought no limelight, no acclaim, no bouquets. He was out there in MacHale Park when no cameras were about, or noisy audiences applauding or imploding on the terraces. Long evenings before big-match-day were spent mowing the park, cleaning, tidying, ensuring it was in tip-top shape for the footballers of the vying counties. He was out there in all sorts of weather with the rest of the gang, colleagues of his kind-people like Mick Ruane, Johnny Burke, Leo Doherty, Martin Carney, Tommy O'Malley. Martin Lydon, Liam Quinn, the late John Joe Walsh - and a host of others, up on the roof of the stand erecting flags, lining the pitch, pinning up the nets, collecting at the gates, checking dressing rooms... tasks only the committed take on, but to which Paddy Kerrigan gave his heart fully. Paddy was a native of Manulla and worked with Bord Telecom where he gave unstinting service for decades. He was a loyal colleague, a friend to everyone, a deeply honourable man, with razor sharp wit and a singing voice that would charm the bird off the trees- on the rare occasions he was persuaded to break into song. He was deeply devoted to Betty and his family. They were his priority, and they will miss him most of all, miss his little acts of kindness, his good humour, his gentleness. Paddy fell ill around Christmas and bore that heavy cross with the same courage and dignity which he brought to everyday life. He was 64 years of age. The large crowds who attended his removal, and his funeral on Monday, are testimony of his popularity. May the sod rest lightly on his gentle soul. Courtesy of the Mayo News 16th July 2003 Tweet

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