Sorry to relate the death of Summerhill clubman Paddy Lyons.

Paddy, in his 89th year, was the father of Meath's 1987 All-Ireland winning captain and All Star full back Mick Lyons. Also involved with that great  team of the late 1980s, early '90s was another son Padraig, who usually operated from one of the corner back positions.

A third son, Terry likewise lined out for the county and was a central figure in the Summerhill senior team for years.

Paddy was also the uncle of Liam Harnan, the solid centre half back on that 1987/'88 combination and the grand uncle of the Moynalvey Harnan's who are making a big name for themselves at club and county level.

Paddy Lyons was no mean footballer himself but farming along the Kildare border he played most of his football in Lilywhite territory. Like his son Mick, Paddy's favourite position was full back and he lined out for Kildare on several occasions.

He is also survived by wife Mairead and daughters Mary and Brenda.

Paddy Lyons was laid to rest, this morning March 26th in Coole Cemetery.

Ar dheis De go raibh a ainm.

Below is a reprint of a profile on Paddy Lyons which appeared in the Meath Yearbook, Royal County, back in '87 and put together the week after Mick Lyons raised the Sam Maguire on the steps of the Hogan Stand.

During the 1980's the Lyons family from Summerhill have become part of Meath football folklore. Symbolically their rise to prominence has coincided with a rejuvenation of their own club and the county XV at national level.

Like the present day Spillanes in Kerry or the Quinns and O'Briens in previous years, The Lyons clan have become associated and mentioned whenever people the length and breath of the land talk about Meath football.

Indeed Summerhill and Royal County supporters can thank their lucky stars the day in 1927 Paddy Lyons senior decided to return from America and purchase the present 150 acre family farm which runs along the Kildare border.

The elder Lyons, originally from Louisburgh in Co. Mayo had three sons. Tommy who now resides in the U.S.A., Austin senior and Paddy junior. Austin himself had footballing sons like Austin junior a Meath sub while only a teenager in 1967; "Red" Paddy, a solid defender who like Austin was prominent in Summerhill's rise to glory in the early and mid-seventies. And like present-day sharpshooter John.

A daughter Mary married locally and to maintain the family tradition one of her sons is none other than Liam Harnan.

Paddy junior the father of Mick, Padraig and Terry went to school in Kilcock County Kildare and mainly because of this became associated with the Cappagh club just inside the Lily White border.

He quickly built up reputation as a fine footballer and played at senior level for Kildare during the late forties and early fifties. One of his many memories of this era was his direct confrontation with the great Paddy O'Brien in the Leinster Championship of 1949. Little did he know that some forty years later his own son would be compared to the great Paddy.

During the mid-fifties, mainly because of the sudden death of his father, Paddy Lyons retired from the playing field but a brief return saw him capture a Kildare senior football championship medal with Kilcock as full back in 1958.

Nowadays Paddy confines his football interests to his role as selector of Summerhill and following his sons careers in the county jersey. Formerly a useful tennis player and a keen follower of the small ball game he plays off a handicap of six at Trim Golf Course - a club of which he is also a trustee.

Married to the former Mairead Giles of the noted south Meath family. Mairead's father was Captain Giles a hurler with Longwood in his youth and a well known politician for thirty years. Paddy with the able help of Denis Fagan, an avid G.A.A fan, farms the original family holding with a dairy herd of over 100 cows.

As to his proudest moment? Without a doubt Paddy Lyons rates the Summerhill victory over Seneschalstown in the Keegan Cup decider of '86 as top of the list. Padraig captained the team; Terry was a tower of strength at full back; nephew John had a brilliant game while Mick scooped the Man of the Match award.

And as to the Lyons dynasty continuing? Of that there can be no question marks. Austin junior's son Michael lined out with the Meath Minors in '86 while on the successful Hill juvenile team of that same summer there was a large contingent of relations and in-laws. The Lyons roar on.

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