Patsy Byrne remembered
October 02, 2013
The late Patsy Byrne
The late Patsy was the head of Byrne Construction which he founded in 1969 along with his brother Johnny.
The company was involved in high profile projects such as Wimbledon's Centre Court, the Olympics Stadium and the Emirates Stadium in London.
He was also a prominent figure in horse and greyhound racing and only last month his horse White Star Line, trained by Dessie Hughes and ridden by Andrew Lynch, was first past the post in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.
Jonjo O'Neill - who trained the Byrne owned Tominator to win the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle - tweeted: 'We have been hit with some really sad news today that our great friend Patsy Byrne has died suddenly'.
Champion jockey Tony McCoy also offered his sympathy to the Byrne family: 'Sad news about Patsy Byrne, a great man & friend, big loss 2 the racing and greyhound world, thoughts with his wife Bridget & family', he tweeted.
Patsy was arguably better known in greyhound circles and he trained Ballinderry Flash - which he co-owned with Prince Edward of the British Royal family - to win the English Derby in 1991.
A lover of all sports, Patsy played an instrumental role in putting together the group of Irish businessmen who bought Sunderland FC from Bob Murray in 2006.
SAFC chief executive Margaret Byrne said on the club website: Everyone at the club was very upset to hear the next of Patsy's death this morning. He was a true gentleman - genuinely kind, with a generous heart and all of those who knew him will remember his quick with and mischievous sense of humour.
"He always had a good word to say about everyone and remained a great support to me personally and to the football club. He will be greatly missed by so many people.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Bridget and the Byrne family at this time."
The GAA and the fortunes of the Kerry senior football team were also very close to his heart.
We had many a chat with Patsy from our offices here in Kells and he remained a great friend of HoganStand.com
Minster for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan expressed his deep sorrow on Mr Byrne's passing and offered his condolences to his wife, family and his many friends in both the sporting and the business worlds.
The deceased is survived by his wife Bridget, sons Michael and Sean, daughter Siobhan and extended family to whom sympathy is extended.
Reposing at Harnett's Funeral Home, Abbeyfeale today from 4pm followed by removal at 8pm to St Brigid's Church Duagh. Requiem mass on Thursday at 11am and funeral afterwards to Springmount Cemetery Duagh.
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