The parish of Ballylongford and Asdee, the county and indeed many parishes and counties beyond were plunged into deep sadness on Tuesday July 22nd on the learning of the death of the late Paudie O'Donoghue. Paudie was more than an icon in this locality he was a man big in stature, big in heart and above all a devoted husband to his wife Phyllis, devoted father to his two children son Hugh and daughter Nuala for whom a big void has been created due to his sad passing from this life. Paudie was born in Kilcolman Asdee on 27th January 1944 he was the eldest of a family of four, Nuala, Eamon and Siobhain born to the late Hugh and Catherine both teachers in Asdee school at the particular time. During his early years he attended the local school where he became quiet interested in two particular sports namely football and greyhounds, which were to become two sports that he excelled in future years. Not neglecting his studies , he attended Asdee National School, continued to Del a Sal College and afterwards to UCD in Dublin and later qualified as a secondary school teacher. Boarding school or college did not prevent the tall six foot three man of participating in the sport that would eventually see him as most notably figure. Club, county or province Paudie gave a true and loyal commitment, which won the hearts of numerous sporting fans nationwide. So great are his achievements on the field of play that when one researches what honours the man has won, it is hard to believe that he actually won every honour that could have been won by any player. From his beloved club of Ballylongford in which he and his late brother Eamon gave great committed and loyal service all through that years the record is colossal. Both were part of that great club team that contested no fewer than 11 of the 12 North Kerry Senior Football Championship Finals between the years of 1965 until 1977 in which they won 5 championship titles 1968, 1970, 71, 74 and 75. Kiely Cup medal in 1972, three county intermediate championship medals 1971 as captain after a replay with Dr Crokes, 1974 and 1976 against Tarbert. There was also a County Intermediate Final against Listowel Emmets in 1972 but this final failed to be played. Three county senior football championship medals 1964, 1972 (capt) and 1976 plus he missed out on another three being defeated in 1962 with North Kerry and 71 and 74 with Rangers. He also has a Munster club championship medal with Shannon Rangers as they went on to win the 1964 Munster title, which in fact was played in 1965, but the competition did not go beyond province stages at that time. During those years, carnival tournaments were all the rage, as there was no county league competition and the list of tournament medals won in carnivals in Moyvane, Duagh, Tarbert, Foynes, Finuge, Listowel, Ballybunion and Knocknagoshel all add to his huge collection. However, the one tournament the stands out most is the 1970 Glin Tournament Final in which Bally qualified to play Moyvane. The final was fixed for the same evening as the Munster Final with Cork and with Paudie and Eamon both assisting Kerry to win the Munster crown many thought they would not be in Glin to line out for their native Bally. Nevertheless, such was their loyalty to their club and their team mates that they arrived to Glin unchanged from their game with Cork and played a huge part in Bally's victory in that Carnival Final. In the County Scene Paud has a huge collection of medals at every grade starting with a Munster Minor and All Ireland Medal in 1962. Two Munster Under 21 medals, 1962 and 1964, one All-Ireland under 21 medal in 1964. At senior level he has five Nat ional League medals, 1969, 1971, 72, 73 (Kerry capt) and 1974. He also holds two All-Ireland senior medals 1969 and 1970 and was on no fewer than four Kerry teams that lost in finals, 1964 and '65 to Galway, 1968 and 65 to Down and in 1972 after a replay to Offaly. 6 Munster senior football championship medals, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1972. Also to his collection are Grounds tournament medals with Kerry in 1969, when they defeated Offaly and in 1970 when they defeated Derry plus he has a medal from Kerry's victory over the combined universities in 1963. While an All Star award eluded him, he had the honour of filling in as a replacement in 1971 and he has three All-Ireland seven a side tournament awards that he won with Shannon Rangers in 1973, 1974 and 1977. When his playing career ended at the relatively young age of 37 Paudie continued to assist both his county and club in 1976 he became a Kerry selector with Mick O'Dwyer and Joe Keoghane. He was also sole selection/manager of the Bally senior team in 1972, 73 and 1974. So with that list of achievements one can see quiet clearly the great player that we was and his level of commitment is without doubt unquestionable. In his profession as a secondary teacher pupil, parent and fellow teachers regarded him as one of the most talented and while he taught business studies, accounting and maths he could quiet easily assist in any other subject outside of these. He spent over twenty years teaching in Causeway Comprehensive School and prior to this had spent another period in Listowel Technical School. It was while he was at Causeway that he was also joined on the staff there by another football opponent who would cross swords with him on the field of play and that was Cork's Billy Morgan, however despite their divided loyalties they struck up a very good friendship. Paud retired from his teaching profession four years ago and took up on his other great sporting interest in greyhounds which in turn brought him great success and joy also. He also enjoyed the outdoor life and quiet often in passing his house one could see him working hard in his garden. He had a great interest in politics and was a very influential part of the Fine Gael backroom team in North Kerry and was chairman of the Asdee Ballylongford Cumann for many years. Paudie also enjoyed the social scene and would always have a friendly smile and chat as he sat in that special corner of his in Alan Kennelly's Bar a lifelong friend in which both had travelled and soldiered together through thick and thin. Here he would salute, mingle and chat with young and old and this quiet, unassuming gentleman will always be remembered as one of the greats of Bally, county and football star of Ireland. Indeed for those of us who knew, respected and conversed with him on a frequent basis we will miss his absence and we will never forget or loose sight of happy memories we had and hold of him. To his wife Phyllis, son Hugh, daughter Nuala, sister Siobhain extended relatives and wide circle of friends and colleagues we extend our sincerest sympathies. Paudie's remains were removed from Lynch's Funeral home Ballylongford to St Mary's Church Asdee on Wednesday evening last at 8pm. Requiem mass was on Thursday at 11.30am with burial afterwards in Lislaughtin Cemetery. While his achievements are listed above the popularity of the man was hugely reflected by the large numbers of fellow players, friends and colleagues that attended his removal, mass and burial. Guards of honour that flanked his coffin included all his fellow Kerry team mates of the '60s and 70s era. Officers of the County Board, members of the teaching profession and members of the Fine Gael party. But it was the players from his native club both past and present along with members of the Asdee club that gave their fellow club mate a last final farewell as they shouldered his coffin from the funeral home down the main street and back to the Bridge a route he had travelled on many occasions. The Asdee club and members of Fine Gael flanked the cortege as it arrived in his native Asdee and in a very thoughtful gesture both Sean Carr and Noel Dillon lead the cortege with two greyhounds. Recently retired Fr Michael Maher assisted by Fr Philip O'Connell PP, Fr Pat Moore PP, Fr Tarrant, Fr John Kennelly also recently retired celebrated the Mass. Again as the cortege left Asdee it was flanked by his fellow Kerry team mates along with more recent players that had the privilege of knowing him. At the entrance to Lislaughlin Abbey his remains were once again met by his club team mates and on the final journey to his resting place they shouldered his remains. At the graveside long time colleague and lifelong friend Gerald McKenna gave a very moving and excellent graveside oration in whch he documented not alone Paudie's great achievements but more importantly the great friendship that both had for each other. Gerald also paid tribute to Paudies late brother Eamon IRIP) who as Gerald stated "I stood here exactly 25 years ago this year with my hand up against that tree giving an oration for the late Eamon little thinking that I would be doing likewise 25 years on. On that occasion I can still remember the faces that stood in front of me, many of who are again here today as we lay to rest a great friend." Indeed Paudie was an icon in the community who has now gone to join many fellow footballers in that great arena above the sky. A Gael, a gentleman and a pillar of this community, may the sod rest lightly on his humble soul. Ar dheis de go rabh a ainm. Courtesy of The Kerryman, 30th July 2008 Tweet

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