GAA folk from all over Ireland converged in sadness on Thurles over the weekend to pay their respects to one of the greatest Tipperaly hurlers of all time - the late Pat Stakelum died following illness. Led by Uachtaran CLG Nicky Brennan, the GAA world paid tribute to a man who was known throughout the length and breadth of Ireland for his exploits on the field of play and his gentlemanly sincerity and warmth off it - a warmth that was seen each and every Saturday morning in Pairc na n-Og, Thurles where Pat attended Durlas Og's training sessions for u-8's to u-16's and offered words of encouragement and praise to the players. He was President of Durlas Og - a position he cherished as much as his three All-Ireland medals. He loved to watch the future generations in their formative years along with his great friend and neighbour Michael Carroll. An employee of Dwan's Mineral Waters for many years which later became C&C, Pat had been in failing health in recent times but he bore his illness with typical dignity and went to meet his maker with his family by his side - a family he cherished and took great pride in. Pat was rated as one of the best centre-backs of alI time and during an illustrious career he won every honour in the game. He made his debut for Tipperary in 1947 and went on to captain Tipperary to All-Ireland success in 1949. Pat added further Celtic crosses to his collection in 1950 and 1951 as Tipperary completed a famous three in a row. In addition to the three All-Irelands, Pat won six National Hurling League medals, six Railway Cup medals, Oireachtas. Thomand Feis and Monaghan Cup honours in an inter-county career which ended in 1958. He has also been honoured with the All-Stars, Munster Council and Mid Tipperary "Hall of Fame" awards as well as a Tipperary Cumann na Sean Ghael award last winter. At County Senior Hurling titles with his native Holycross-Ballycahill in 1948, 1951 and 1954. Following the end of his playing days, Pat served as County Secretcuy in 1961 and 1962 and during his tenure, Tipperary won 2 further All-Ireland Senior Hurling titles. Pat served as a Tipperary Senior Hurling selector for a number of years and he was a proud man when his nephews the Ryan's (Bobby and Aidan) and the Stakelum's (Richard and Conor) achieved success with Tipperary in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Despite being a dyed in the wool Holycross man Pat saw underage hurling in Thurles was in need of assistance in the late 1970's and he helped to set up the Durlas Og club in 1979, his only concern being the welfare of hurling and football in the town where the GAA was founded. Pat did great work in building up the Durlas Og club to be one of the strongest juvenile clubs in Tipperary and at the time of his death, Pat was president of the Durlas Og club. The club performed a Guard of Honour as the funeral procession made it's way to the Cathedral of the Assumption and also at Og on Sunday morning as Pat was rnaking his final joumey to Holycross - there was a spontaneous round of applause from Durlas Og members, young and old alike, after the remains had stopped briefly at the Abbey Road entrance. Pat was one of Tipperary's greatest ambassadors and he had a particular rapport with former colleagues and foes from other counties, regaling stories from previous battles in Semple Stadium, Croke Park or any other venue around the country where hurling was played. Many of those former players made the lonely trip to Thurles to pay their respects on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. And, despite the sadness of the occasion, these former greats drew comfort and consolation from Pat's passing, in the memories they shared as they attended the funeral. Many is the sliothar that was pucked in the queues, Church pews and graveyard over the course of the funeral. Many of Pat's cherished medals were stolen from his home some years ago and were never recovered. But his native and adoptive clubs, and interested parties resolved to replace those reminders of past glones for Pat, and when he was presented with replica medals in Ballycahill Comrnunity Centre two years ago, there were tears of delight in his eyes. Pat, ever humble, was very touched that his clubs had seen fit to raise the funds to replace his medals. Pat's remains were removed from St Mary's Funeral Home to the Cathedral of the Assumption on Saturday evening where they were received by the Patron of the GAA, Archbishop Dermot Cllifford. His club, Holycross Ballycahill performed a Guard of Honour during the course of the funeral as they accompanied their former colleague on his last journey. Pat was a prominent members of which also performed a guard of honour. Fittingly Pat was laid in the soil of his native parish under the shadow of Holycross Abbey after Requiem Mass on Sunday morning in the Cathedral of the Assumption. The Tipperary, Holycross Ballycahill and Durlas Og flags adorned Pat's coffin throughout representing a lifetime of service to the GAA. And, his great friend and colleague Michael Maher of Holycross Ballycahill and Tipperary hurling fame gave a touching graveside oration to the man he hurled behind for many years. Rev Father Joe Walsh, Chaplain to Durlas Og spoke in glowing terms of Pat's contribution to his family, his community and to the GAA in particular. His interest in young people and in the promotion of the native games was second to none, he said. When the sermon was completed Fr Walsh received a round of applause in recognition of his words summer up and captured the essence of Pat Stakelum. Durlas Og Chairman Tom Meehan and Life Vlce President Michael Carroll did readings at the Mass also. The GAA was Pat's extended family and one of the great loves of his life, but his wife Nancy and their family, reared and loved at Avondale, Clongour were the great loves of his life. He was a dedicated and loving husband to Nancy and together they raised their children Norah, Mary, Lucy, Paraic and Fionn with great example and joy. He also delighted in his grandchildren when they came on the scene and liked nothing more than spending time with them. Pat, also a keen bridge player, is survived by his loving wife Nancy (nee Finn) - a constant by his side throughout his life - his daughters Norah (Byrne Dunleer), Mary (Reading UK), Lucy (Sammon, Wicklow), sons Paraic (Ballinure) and Fionn (Wicklow), sons-in-law daughters-in-law, his adoring grandchildren, his brothers John and Gerry, his sisters Sr. Clare (Clontarf) Bridget, Peg and Lucy, sisters-in-law, his God-children, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of neighbours and friends. When speaking to the young hurlers of Durlas Og Pat loved to quote poetry. One of his favourites was The Hurler's Prayer. It seems appropriate now to remember him with it. Grant me O'Lord a hurlers skill, With strength of arm and speed of limb, Unerring eye for the flying ball, and courage to match whate'er befall, May my stroke be speedy and my aim be true, My actions manly and my misses few, No matter what way the game may go, May I rest in friendship with every foe, and when the final whistle for me has blown, And I stand at last before Gods Judgement throne, May the great referee when he calls my name, Say, you hurled like a man, you played the game. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 12 April 2008 Tweet

Most Read Stories