Packie Martin - a tribute On the afternoon of Saturday October 29, Carrickmore Gaels everywhere were savouring a successful first round venture in the Ulster Senior Football Club Championship when word quickly spread through the parish that a great club stalwart had gone to his eternal reward. With the passing of Packie Martin of Evish, Club Colmcille has lost the last surviving playing link with the team of our inaugural year. Packie was a senior player from the formation of the club in 1932 until1937 and through his long life and association with the club Packie bore witness to the development of the club from those early years to the present day powerhouse of Tyrone Football. It can be said, literally, that Packie was the father of one of the great "dynasties" of Carmen football. His sons Joseph, Fr. Michael, Francis and Jim in their own time wore the Carmen colours with pride and distinction. Grandchildren Eamon, Denise, Edel and Mary have carried on that proud tradition; so too Adrian and Brendan in present times. Packie enjoyed many of the club's high points during his long life, but undoubtedly, the year of 2003 will have surpassed them all. His life long support of the club was marked at the start of that year when he was unanimously elected President of the Club for 2003. As President, he was on hand to welcome the Sam Maguire Cup and the victorious Tyrone team to the club in September of that year. So the numbers of club men and women who have witnessed all of the fifteen senior titles coming to Quinn's Corner has been further reduced. It was appropriate that the Requiem for Packie, celebrated by his son Michael, saw St Colmcille's church filled to capacity. It was a fitting farewell to a man who had given so much in his lifetime to his community and the club that he loved. To Joseph, Fr Michael, Teresa, Brendan, Francis, Jim and the entire family circle Club Colmcille extends sincerest sympathy. Courtesy of Tyrone Times 15 November 2005 Tweet

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