The Late Pat Stakelum Pat Stakelum, who captained Tipperary to All-Ireland success in 1947 and was part of the three-in-a-row team of that era, passed away last week. Pat is rated as one of the best centre-backs of all time and during all illustrious career he won every honour in the game. Pat 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 Tlpperary Cumann na Sean Ghael award last winter. At club level, Pat won three 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 Secretary in 1961 and 1962 and during his tenure, Tipperary won two further All-Ireland Senior Hurling titles. Pat served as a Tipperary Senior Hurling selector for a nurnber of years and he was a proud man when his nephews the Ryans (Bobby and Aidan) and the Stakelums (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. Pat was one of Tipperary's greatest ambassadors as 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. The Tipperary County Board extended their heartfelt condolences to the Stakelurn family on their bereavement. GAA President Nickey Brennan also extended his deepest sympathies and those of the Association to the family of Pat Stakelum. Mr. Brennan described Mr. Stakelum as one of Tipperary's greatest GAA ambassadors. He said that he led his club and county with great pride and his foresight in the late '70s when he helped set up the Durlas Og Club was instrumental in helping Tipperary regain its place at the top of the hurling tree. His remains were removed to Thurles Cathedral on the Saturday evening and following Requiem Mass on the Sunday burial was in Holycross Abbey. Deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Nancy (nee Finn), 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. Courtesy of the Tribune 9th April 2008 Tweet

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