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I know his decision to retire will be discussed on the Donegal thread. But I thought this man deserved a thread to himself.
He has been an iconic footballer for Donegal and the GAA in general for the last 14 years. One of the rare players who made their senior debut the same day as they appeared for the minors.
He suffered two bad knee injuries which ultimately led to his early retirement. It's hard to believe he's still only 32.
But when he was in his prime, he was a hard man to pin down. Teams knew all about his left foot, but stopping it was another thing. One of the best examples I can think of is when we played Derry in one of the Covid championship games. The teams were level going into injury time, and Rory Gallagher's screams of "LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!" could be clearly heard. As good a marker as Chrissy McKaigue is/was, he was still powerless to prevent Paddy booming over a late winner.
It's a pity he couldn't have signed off with one more All Ireland win, and as captain. But it wasn't to be. He still leaves the stage as Donegal's most successful player. His influence and ability will be sorely missed.
Go raibh míle maith agat a Phádraig!
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10161 - 16/12/2025 11:42:16
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Replying To Lockjaw: "I know his decision to retire will be discussed on the Donegal thread. But I thought this man deserved a thread to himself.
He has been an iconic footballer for Donegal and the GAA in general for the last 14 years. One of the rare players who made their senior debut the same day as they appeared for the minors.
He suffered two bad knee injuries which ultimately led to his early retirement. It's hard to believe he's still only 32.
But when he was in his prime, he was a hard man to pin down. Teams knew all about his left foot, but stopping it was another thing. One of the best examples I can think of is when we played Derry in one of the Covid championship games. The teams were level going into injury time, and Rory Gallagher's screams of "LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!" could be clearly heard. As good a marker as Chrissy McKaigue is/was, he was still powerless to prevent Paddy booming over a late winner.
It's a pity he couldn't have signed off with one more All Ireland win, and as captain. But it wasn't to be. He still leaves the stage as Donegal's most successful player. His influence and ability will be sorely missed.
Go raibh míle maith agat a Phádraig!" Great footballer. I loved watching him play except against Galway of course. lol. Best of luck to him in future.
SouthGalway (Galway) - Posts: 133 - 16/12/2025 12:44:25
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Very good footballer, But i dont think he ever reached the top top level that i taught he would when he first came on the scene at 17/18. Injuries played their part no doubt.
sourmilk93 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1257 - 16/12/2025 13:20:10
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A superb footballer. A Dub and all ;)
Best of luck to him, what a servant to Donegal football.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13845 - 16/12/2025 13:32:42
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Replying To Lockjaw: "I know his decision to retire will be discussed on the Donegal thread. But I thought this man deserved a thread to himself.
He has been an iconic footballer for Donegal and the GAA in general for the last 14 years. One of the rare players who made their senior debut the same day as they appeared for the minors.
He suffered two bad knee injuries which ultimately led to his early retirement. It's hard to believe he's still only 32.
But when he was in his prime, he was a hard man to pin down. Teams knew all about his left foot, but stopping it was another thing. One of the best examples I can think of is when we played Derry in one of the Covid championship games. The teams were level going into injury time, and Rory Gallagher's screams of "LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!" could be clearly heard. As good a marker as Chrissy McKaigue is/was, he was still powerless to prevent Paddy booming over a late winner.
It's a pity he couldn't have signed off with one more All Ireland win, and as captain. But it wasn't to be. He still leaves the stage as Donegal's most successful player. His influence and ability will be sorely missed.
Go raibh míle maith agat a Phádraig!" Top player.
He will be missed by Donegal and neutral fans alike.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4756 - 16/12/2025 13:43:22
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Gave his all to the Donegal cause for over 15 years and walks away with 7 Ulster medals and a senior All Ireland. Great achievement and a classy player. Would not be surprised to see him on a Donegal sideline in the future. I wish him well in his retirement.
letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 826 - 16/12/2025 14:28:00
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A class act on and off the pitch. The best of luck to him in his retirement.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8402 - 16/12/2025 18:08:20
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A terrrific footballer with a sweet left leg.Best of luck to Paddy in his retirement.A loss tp Donegal but also to neutral fans.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4083 - 16/12/2025 20:49:40
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Dangerous man to be playing against you. Even when he didn't start you got nervous when you seen him warming up. Donegal will miss him.
Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2520 - 16/12/2025 20:59:29
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I'll always wonder what might have been in 2018. He was outstanding. Brilliant in Killarney on the day Clifford made his debut, and again exceptional in the league against Dublin, landing some outrageous points.
That first year under Bonner, Donegal played some beautiful football, cruising to the Ulster title with McBrearty as leading scorer. Then came the dreaded ACL injury in the final, and that was such real turning point for Donegal. I'm not sure he ever fully got over it, but he still gave tremendous service and provided many great days since.
Perhaps nothing sums it up better than 2023, when there was little glory or support to be found in playing for Donegal, yet he still stood up. And then the leadership shown in bringing McGuinness back. The images of him and Murphy after this year's Ulster final are ones to treasure.
Thanks a million, Patrick, and best of luck for the future.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 957 - 16/12/2025 22:06:27
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Replying To Saynothing: "Dangerous man to be playing against you. Even when he didn't start you got nervous when you seen him warming up. Donegal will miss him." Or even when he wasn't in the game!
The game against Derry was a perfect example of this in 2021. McKaigue didn't give him a sniff for 74 odd minutes yet he popped up with a clutch score 45 yards out to win it for us at the death.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1397 - 17/12/2025 10:13:39
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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "I'll always wonder what might have been in 2018. He was outstanding. Brilliant in Killarney on the day Clifford made his debut, and again exceptional in the league against Dublin, landing some outrageous points.
That first year under Bonner, Donegal played some beautiful football, cruising to the Ulster title with McBrearty as leading scorer. Then came the dreaded ACL injury in the final, and that was such real turning point for Donegal. I'm not sure he ever fully got over it, but he still gave tremendous service and provided many great days since.
Perhaps nothing sums it up better than 2023, when there was little glory or support to be found in playing for Donegal, yet he still stood up. And then the leadership shown in bringing McGuinness back. The images of him and Murphy after this year's Ulster final are ones to treasure.
Thanks a million, Patrick, and best of luck for the future." Nail on head.
He was in FOTY form that summer, until the dreaded ACL injury struck. The worst thing about it was that we were so comfortable in that final. A definite what if moment.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10161 - 17/12/2025 11:07:40
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He lost serious pace after the serious ACL injury in 2018-2019, and it made him a lot easier to mark by the top teams, as he always repeatedly came around on the loop with the left peg. But great servant to Donegal football, great forward, huge respect to him and any player who dedicates themselves to Inter-county training for so long. Its a huge commitment and huge sacrifice.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1532 - 17/12/2025 11:39:22
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One of the last players to my memory that played minor and senior on the same day. Benny Coulter the one before him.
Madness when you think he was 17 and in 5th year and Jimmy McGuiness had him training with seniors.
veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 924 - 17/12/2025 12:19:38
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What a player...will always remember his point against the Dubs in 2014 in second half..as Darragh Maloney said on commentary an absolute "stunning point"...Remember I met Dermot Connelly in a gym at Castleknock and its was the start of the league season and Dublin were playing Donegal in first game and I jokingly said to Dermot we're going to beat yous as paddy is back..his response " Good player "
RoryGall35 (Donegal) - Posts: 195 - 17/12/2025 12:34:15
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