Down GAA has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Paul Doran, who was well-known to supporters through his work for Down GAA TV.

Paul, who passed away on New Year’s Eve at Belfast City Hospital and was laid to rest last weekend, hailed from Glasdrumman but was involved with Bredagh since moving to Belfast. Down GAA described him as the person who provided a ‘link to the GAA world’ for the Down diaspora.

“Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Paul Doran, a most valued member of our media team, who acted for many years as the coordinator of our commentary team with Down GAA TV, and also commentated on matches himself as part of that team,” the county board tribute read.

“Paul had a great love of Down GAA and a great sense of place. Though resident in Belfast and a member of Bredagh, Paul was at heart a Glasdrumman man and he took great pride in the achievements of both clubs.

“The son of the late Arthur, himself a County Official in the 1950s and early 1960s, his love for Gaelic Games began in the home, firstly as a player with Glasdrumman, and then after moving to Belfast, with Bredagh where he was a valued member of their Scór Tráth na gCeist team over many years. Paul was a dedicated Down supporter and wherever Red and Black was worn, Paul and the Doran family would be there in good times and in bad. Paul kept the faith and was passionate in the belief that Down would come again.

“As illness returned, Paul made the journey to the County Offices in Ballykinlar to donate his collection of Down GAA Archive materials - programmes from over the decades, Down Yearbooks and newspapers recalling famous days and occasions. It was a most generous contribution that will ensure that the memory of Paul Doran will live on in our new Museum and Archive Centre when we build our home at Ballykinlar.

“We in Down GAA mourn the loss of a man who through his work on Down GAA TV made a difference to the lives of many for whom this platform was a link to the GAA world and to the club scene in Down when they were unable to attend games in person, or were part of the great Down GAA diaspora.

“We offer our deepest sympathy to his wife Angela, his children Gabriel and Lucy, his brothers Noel and Ciaran, his sisters Suzanne and Clare, whilst remembering too at this sad time his late parents Arthur and Mary and sister Christine. To the Gaels of Bredagh and Glasdrumman, we offer our condolences on the passing of a man who gave great service to both clubs and to the world of Down GAA.”

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