The late Paddy O'Neill Gaels countrywide are mourning the passing of outstanding footballer, Paddy O'Neill. Late of Ballard, Ballinaclash, Paddy died on January 8th at the age of 85. He was best known for his footballing skills, he was one of the best mainstays of the great team that brought Ballinacor to prominence and provided so much excitement and pleasure in the area throughout the 1940s in particular. The skills which Paddy displayed were admired far and wide and are still talked about where the gaels of Carnew, Donard, Wicklow town, Rathnew or Rathdangan reminisce on the great games of that era. He gave outstanding service to his much loved club. He first came to attention as a member of the team that won Ballinacor's second junior championship played in April 15 1939. Four months later the same team won their first intermediate championship. They had a long wait for their first senior final win which they achieved by comprehensively beating Donard by 3-5 to 0-2 on October 23 1946. Again Paddy was Ballinacor's outstanding man when they won two senior titles in 1949. On October 30 1949 they beat St Patrick's 3-4 to 1-8. On December 4 1949 they won the 1948 title. This competition had been delayed by protracted disputes. Eventually Ballinacor beat Donard 1-4 to 1-3. Paddy played his last senior games for Ballinacor in 1956. His contribution to the county team was also one of total commitment. He held his place from 1941 to 1951 and he was still admired throughout Leinster. Paddy moved to Dublin as a young man and his working life was spent in Guinness Brewery. In 1956 he married Breda Mulhall, whose father's family came from the Annacurra area. Together they reared their family of three boys, Cathal, Eugene and Pat. His personal qualities were admired by all who knew him. He always maintained strong links with this home and the community functions and was an accomplished accordion player. Together with his brother, Tom, he provided the music in Kirikee for the dances. Two occasions each year were special for himself and Breda - the annual cemetery mass in Greenane and the prayers at Lady Well on August 15. Paddy was known to all as a good man and a man of strong religious faith, generous in word and deed. He will be sadly missed by all. Courtesy of the Wicklow People 26 January 2006 Tweet

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