The death has taken place of former Carlow GAA secretary and president Pat O'Brien.

The Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal native gave huge service to his adopted county over many decades. He was an outstanding administrator who also served as secretary of Coisde na nÓg Ceatharlach and as chairman of Carlow Camogie. Pat was also a trustee of Carlow Town Hurling and Camogie club.

Carlow GAA said yesterday: "It is with great sorrow today that we learned of the passing of former County Secretary & Úachtarán CLG Ceatharlach, Pat O’Brien."

Carlow Camogie also paid tribute to their former chairman in a Facebook post: “The green fields of heaven have been gifted a new arrival as Pat O’Brien joins the ranks of our Hurling and Camogie guardian angels.

"While we have heavy hearts here on earth, heaven has gained a true gentleman, a real warrior, a man who battled both on the Hurling and Camogie fields and on the health front with the same steely determination and unflinching spirit.”

“Very often it can be difficult to find support for women’s sport. Pat heartily offered his support at a time when it was needed most and when many others may have scoffed at the idea. That support has been invaluable in helping to ensure that girls of all ages were given the chance to play our wonderful game and he contributed enormously to the welfare and development of literally hundreds of young people from all corners of County Carlow. His long-held belief was that sport is something which offers an opportunity for enjoyment for so many and for bringing people – participants, their family members and their friends – together in a positive, sociable environment.

"During his time as Chairperson three new Camogie clubs were successfully founded in the county. The encouragement, help, advice and support that he offered to the members of those clubs was a crucial part of their formation.

“He always believed in the value of trying to give our young players as much publicity as possible and in order to achieve this he travelled to games all over the county on a regular basis to write match reports for the newspapers as well as ensuring that match fixtures were always well advertised in the local newspapers.

"Carlow’s win in Croke Park in 2016 in the All-Ireland Junior final was a special day for Pat. There was no prouder man in Carlow or Ireland on September 11th, 2016 when Marian Doyle and Teresa Meaney lifted the Kay Mills Cup aloft on the steps of the Hogan Stand as “Follow Me Up to Carlow” rang around the stadium, or indeed in Lattin Cullen in 2012 when Tara Wilson lifted the much sought after All Ireland “B” Championship, or in Banagher in 2018 when he cheered on his grand-daughter Rachel when Carlow won the All Ireland Under 16 Championship.”

Pat's funeral will take place in The Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, on Wednesday at 2.30pm, followed by burial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.

May he rest in peace.

 

It is with great sorrow today that we learned of the passing of former County Secretary & Úachtarán CLG Ceatharlach, Pat O’Brien.

A great GAA man with fíor ghrá for the ‘small ball’ ⚪️🔵

Sincere condolences to the O’Brien Family, ar dheis Dé go raibh sé 🇬🇳 pic.twitter.com/4aeLOOz8Ib

— Carlow GAA (@Carlow_GAA) July 4, 2021

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