The younger members of St. Patrick's Gaelic Football Club will hardly be aware that the late Paddy Byrne, Tullowhill, who passed away on October 23, was a very prominent player and committee member. Paddy played with distinction at left half back on the St Pats team of 1959 when they beat Kildavin to capture the Carlow Senior Football Championship, the first time since 1916. Paddy, playing at right half back, also collected a Senior League medal in 1962 when Tullow defeated Milford in the final, and in 1963 crowned his playing career, when he won the elusive double in Gaelic Football, the County Senior Championship, and the County Senior League, beating Clonmore in both. The team retained their championship Crown in 1964 after a replay with Kildavin, with Paddy still at right half back, the last time St.Pats won the Senior Championship. While still a playing member, Paddy was elected to the position of Club Treasurer at the AGM of 1961, a position he held with the late Donal McMahon until he retired in 1983, a grand total of 22 years service. In 1978, Radio Eireann, as it was then called was about the country presenting local radio. Paddy was one of the club members who was instrumental in getting the unit to visit Tullow, and on Thursday, 26 October of that year the programme went on air from their outside broadcasting van, which was situated adjacent to the Fr Murphy Memorial in The Square,. St Patrick's were allocated a two hour slot from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and Paddy had four items on the programmes and spoke very eloquently on each of them. The 1966 Senior football Championship Final between Tullow and Kildavin ended in a draw, but it was never replayed. Paddy, however, in a fundraising event, arranged a rematch between the two teams, but, this time it was 12 years later, in 1978. For this event, Paddy got great publicity on the National Radio and local press, and the event proved a great success. Paddy's memory is held in great esteem in St. Patrick's GAA Club, in the entire town of Tullow and surroundings, and further beyond. Deepest sympathy is extended to his loving wife Kathleen and family. Ar dheis go raibh a anam dilís. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist. November 16, 2007. Tweet

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