The Carlow GAA family is this week mourning the passing of PJ (Pajo) Hogan who died on Ash Wednesday at St James's Hospital, Dublin. Pajo would have celebrated his 72nd birthday next Sunday. His death followed a lengthy battle with illness.
Although small of stature Pajo Hogan was a hugely talented footballer who won a total of five Carlow SFC medals with Eire Og in the 1960s during the clubs first golden era.
He played senior county football and hurling with Carlow at a time when the Barrowsiders national profile in both codes was high.
A very skillful, clever land courageous player with a keen eye for goal Pajo was one of the shining lights of Eire Og in their early years, being something of a poster boy for the exciting brand of stylish football that the brash, new Carlow town club in the red and white colours brought to the football scene in the county.
A native of Lower Pollerton Road, Carlow, Pajo was part of Eire Og from the first stirrings of the club in late 1955, being one of those who contributed 6d a weed towards the purchase of the club's first football. Eventually the core group each contributed 2/6d to the purchase of the ball and Eire Og was born.
He won a minor football league title with in 1956- the club's first year of competition- and showed his talent as a hurler that year also, scoring 2-3 out of a total of 3-6 as the Barrowsiders lost narrowly to a Wexford side in which Oliver 'Hopper' McGrath was the star player.
In 1957 Pajo hit the headlines at county minor football level. He was part of a fine Carlow team which defeated Kilkenny, Louth and Wexford before losing narrowly (2-5 to 1-6) in Croke Park to Offaly in the provincial semi-final. Pajo scored four goals in the victory over Louth at Pairc Tailteann on a day when the Carlow seniors went down to the Wee County, who went on to claim the All-Ireland football title that year.
There was a domestic double for Pajo in 1957 as he won MFC and MHC medals- he scored 1-2 in the hurling final win over St Mullins.
Pajo won a county junior football championship medal in 1958 when Eire Og defeated Fenagh in the final, after a replay, scoring 1-2 of his side's total in a 1-10 to 1-4 victory. He played at centre forward in that final.
In the 1959/60 National Hurling League campaign he scored 1-1 as Carlow beat Galway in Dr Cullen park and played against Clare in the following year's NHL campaign.
In 1960 Pajo was a member of the Carlow team which won the Leinster junior hurling title, defeating Wexford in the final in New Ross. In the opening round of the Leinster JHC against Wicklow at Dr Cullen Park he scored a vital goal at a time when Carlow were struggling. That win launched Carlow on a campaign which saw them claim the All-Ireland JHC Home title.
Pajo went on to play on the Carlow Intermediate hurling team which defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster final of 1962 at New Ross playing at left full-forward.
By common consent, that Intermediate side of 1962 was Carlow's greatest ever hurling side, including such names as Red 'Liamy' Walsh, Moling Morrissey and Ned Gladney.
Pajo was at left full-forward in 1960 when Eire Og won the first of their 25 Carlow SFC titles, scoring 0-2 in the win over Tullow by 0-16 to 1-3. He went on to claim further SFC medals with Eire Og in 1962, 1965, 1967 and 1968.
In 1961 tremendous interest was generated by the fact that households were divided in Carlow Town as brother faced brother in the SFC final. Pajo played with Eire Og in the heavy defeat to the Blues while his brother George (Lep) Hogan lined out for O'Hanrahans. Christy Flood (Eire Og) and older brother Peter were in opposition as were the Waker brothers Eddie (Eire Og) and Peter.
The unique brothers-in-opposition aspect at that time of half a century ago attracted much national media coverage of the final, which the Blues won comfortably (3-13 to 205). Eire Og took their revenge in 1962 dethroning the champions in the final by 5-5 to 1-7.
In 1961 Pajo won a SHC medal with Carlow Town (known as The Pearses), as they defeated St Mullins by 5-15 to 4-1. He played midfield that day with Paddy O'Connell, the Clonmel native, who passed away in early January of this year.
Pajo finished his club football days with Palatine- playing in the county SFC final of 1970 in which Pal lost to Kildavin in Bro Leo Park, Tullow.
Along with a number of other talented hurlers he had thrown in his lot with the fledgling Palatine club and was a member of the team which won the junior hurling championship and league double of 1965.
The manner in which he played the game was much admired.
All his working life Pajo was employed in Corcoran's Mineral Water Manufacturers ,Carlow.
He were removed from Healy's Funeral Home, Pollerton Castle on Thursday evening last when members of Eire Og formed a guard of honour to the Church of the Holy Family, Askea. The remains were received by Fr Tom Little, PP AskeaBennekerry. An Eire Og jersey was placed on the coffin.
Fr Liam Morgan, CC celebrated the Funeral Mass on Friday morning, during which he paid tribute to the life of Pajo Hogan as a fine sportsman, diligent worker and loyal husband. Fr Morgan spoke of the great unity and love between Pajo and his wife, the former Mai Farrell, throughout 43 years of happy married life. He paid a very worthy tribute to Mai's love and care for Pajo in his final illness.
Pajo was laid to rest in St Mary's cemetery. Fr Morgan recited the final prayers at the graveside.
Pajo is survived by his wife, Mai, brothers George and Conleth, and aunt Cissie Byrne (nee Slater). He is also survived by brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews,grand nieces, neighbours,friends and by all in Eire Og.
The club flag at Teach Asca hung at half mast from Wednesday to Friday as a mark of respect to a founding father and one of Eire Og's finest footballers.

Courtesy of the Nationlist
15th March 2011 Tweet

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