The late Paddy O'Reilly Mayo mourns the passing of a gentleman and a GAA legend. Deep sorrow enveloped the parish on Sunday, October 9th, 2005, at the news of the death of Paddy Reilly, Carrowkeel, Clogher. Paddy, who had been ill for some months, was a man of tremendous courage and he maintained his humour and gentle disposition to the very end. Paddy was a great family man and despite his many interests, Angela, Leanne and Lyndon always came first in his live. His untimely passing at just 58 years of age is a great loss to his loving family. The canvas of his life was broad - from his work in the Scared Heart Hospital, his involvement with Ballyheane Amateur Drama, Mayo Vintage and Ballintubber and Mayo GAA. He made a huge contribution to all the organisations he was involved with and he brought a ray of sunshine and good humour to every situation. A native of Ballyheane, Paddy enjoyed his life in Clogher and he was an intrinsic part of the local community, rendering great assistance to the Community Council with many projects. As a stage actor with Ballyheane Amateur Drama Players and especially in league with his stage partner, Michael Thomas, he brought many laughs to appreciative audiences down the years. He had a natural stage presence, never having to embellish his inherent comic talent and his participation in Tops of the Town competition was also a fair indicator of his stage skills. He had a great interest in Mayo Vintage affairs and just some weeks before his death, perched on his Fordson Major tractor, he embarked on a tractor run with some dear friends about the roads through rural villages he loved so well. It was a tremendously courageous thing to do but Paddy enjoyed the experience immensely, revelling in the company of dear friends. His care and concern for the patients of the Scared Heart Hospital in Castlebar was legendary. Paddy took time to sit with them and listen to their stories and he had a fundamental respect and a willingness to serve the needs above and beyond the call of duty. He was also extremely generous and kind visiting relatives and especially helpful to the bereaved. In the Gaelic Athletic Association, Paddy was a trojan worker. He tended to Clogher clubrooms and pitch with great care and devotion. He assisted with the club lotto and rarely missed a Sunday night draw. He stood at the gates in sun and downpours of rain but never pressured anyone to for a shilling. That couple never be that gentleman's style. He assisted with underage teams and had a great pride in the many Bord na nOg successes Ballintubber enjoyed down the years. As recent as All-Ireland Final weekend 2005, he visited Clogher Pitch to ensure the Red and White of Ballintubber and the Green and Red of Mayo should flutter above the playing field on that special day. Clogher Pitch remained closed for the week after Paddy's death as a mark of respect to his family. He also dedicated nine years of his life to Mayo underage team and was part of the highly successful John P Kean management team that won two Connacht U-16 championships, three Connacht minor leagues, five Connacht minor championships and two All-Ireland final appearances. His treatment and firm friendship with more than 250 for Mayo's finest and fittest young men from 1994 to 2001 was exemplary and they in turn held him in the highest regard. His work with Mayo in those years meant many long hours travelling to matches and training sessions but Paddy gave unselfishly of his time without complaint. Deeply honoured to be involved he sought no reward except friendship of his fellow mentors and their charges. It was a tremendous honour for Paddy and, indeed for his wife, Angela, to see their son, Lyndon, play for the Mayo minors on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. Paddy had many friends, as many as the blades of grass on his beloved Clogher Pitch that he tended with such commitment and care. His remains were laid in the Ballintubber clubrooms, which suitably decked in the red and white of Ballintubber, the green and red of Mayo and also the divisional flags and other GAA emblems. Thousands filed past his remains at the clubhouse and attended again on the following morning at St Mary's Church, Carnacon, and at the internment of his remains in Drum Cemetery. Ballintubber GAA members and players, young and old, Carnacon Ladies GAA team and mentors, work colleagues from the Scared Heart Hospital, Mayo Vintage members and many friends formed Guards of Honour on both days in what was one of the largest funeral ever seen in the region. Paddy's Funeral Mass was a beautiful ceremony concelebrated by Fr Jack Garvery, P.P., Burriscarra; Fr Pat Donnellan, P.P., Islandeady; Fr Frank Fahey, Ballintubber; Fr Val Hynes, SMA, Fr Des Fahy and Fr John Murray, Chaplain to the Scared Heart Hospital. Former Mayo U-16 and minor manager, J.P. Kean paid a beautiful tribute to Paddy in a most eloquent post communion eulogy. J.P. stated that there were "wealthy men and rich men in this world - Paddy Reilly was wise enough to know that monetary gain meant little in relation to the service of others and the friendship of one's fellow man." To his wife, Angela, daughter, Leanne, son, Lyndon, brother, Liam, sisters, Nellie Duffy and Kathleen Clarke, and the extended Campbell and Reilly families we offer our deepest condolences on their great loss. Time and the prayers and thoughts of their many friends and the warmth of the many magical memories left behind by PAddy will surely ease their grief. Paddy was laid to rest in a quiet and sun-drenched corner of Drum Cemetery serenaded by the prayers of Fr Jack Garvery and multiple friends, and the gentle strains of Tom McGovern's accordion, which gave the many people present, precious moments to ponder on the life of a simple and yet most remarkable man. Ar dheis De go raibh a nAinm dilis. S.H. Courtesy of Western People 08 November 2005 Tweet

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