Duggan, Paddy
January 17, 2012Upon leaving school one of Paddy's proudest days was captaining the Kill U16 team that won the County and City League at the Sportsfieldd, Waterford in June 1959, when still under the superb coaching skills of Kerryman Dan O'Brien. To this day that photograph stands pride of place in his home in Carriganure, Ballyduff.
Moving up the ranks from minor to the senior team, he and 3 or 4 other young tigers from the U16 team helped Kill to a historic first county title on that never to be forgotten day in Fraher Field on the 11th November 1962. That day against The Geraldines, Paddy played at right half forward and for the next 7 years that No.10 jersey rested on his shoulders without any hesitation. Showing no fear these new crop of players showed no sign of nerves or stage fright, despite Kill having failed on 5 previous occasions at the final hurdle and how sad that 50 years later. Paddy would leave this world. In 1963 Paddy was made captain of the team, such was the esteem he was held in by the club and his team mates.
And he didnt disappoint, by leading the team to that years county final. With the final scheduled for 24th November, a cruel twist of fate occurred when 2 days before the final and Kill "up for it" and "ready for the fray" President Kennedy was assassinated and as a mark of respect the final was postponed for 2 weeks. During these 2 weeks complacency and carelessness set in and Kill paid the price in the final. Were it not for that fateful day in Dallas, Texas perhaps Paddy Duggan might well have led Kill to its second county title.
Paddy and Kill have to wait 3 more years to reach a county final and in 1966 we claimed our second senior title. A year later we found ourselves in another county decider, this time around versus John Mitchels. However, it was a day Paddy Duggan wouldn't have fond memories as he accidentally broke his leg. With no stretcher in place, the late Ted Buckley came to Paddy's rescue when he climbed over the railings to help strap his broken leg and place him in Francie Moore's famous "An Chill" placard and take him off the pitch while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.
Paddy was our reliable free taker in those days and with the sides level late on in the game, Kill were awarded a scoreable free to win the game, but the replacement free taker, who shall remain nameless, kicked it wide and it went to a replay. The replay was to be the only game that Paddy missed in that 3 in a row team, and his non participation proved a huge motivation for all involved and it is fair to say that we won it for him.
A year later Kill we're back in another county final and Paddy was back in that No.10 jersey and we completed the 3 in a row when defeating an up and coming Tramore team in Walsh Park. He continued playing in '69 but ironically and sadly he again accidentally broke the same leg in the same place against the same opposition. Unfortunately it proved to be Paddy's last game for Kill and so the playing career of one of Kill's greatest forwards came to an end at the early age of 27.
He could also yield a caman with equal skill and he donned that No.10 jersey, when Kill completed the SF/JH double against Abbeyside at Fraher Field a fortnight after the '66 football final v Kilrossanty.
He wore the county jersey for Waterford at U21 and senior level and in you know that position. In total he won 4 Senior Football medals, 3 Phelan Cup, 1 Junior Hurling County and 1 Eastern Junior Hurling, numerous tournament trophies and of course that U16 title in the scorching summer of ''59. He will be best remembered as a brilliant footballer, fast, skilful, elusive, with a great brain and positional sense. He was two footed and while light in stature; if the occasion arose he could look after himself. He was devoted to his training.
His understanding with Kil's centre forward of the time and great friend Monty Guiry was uncanny and during those years in the 60s they terrorised backlines and they were very difficult to counteract. What a No10 and 11 to have on your team as they were Kill's version of Stockwell and Purcell "the terrible twins". As previously stated he was our free taker in those days with frees having to be taken off the ground, any angle was no problem and he always made it look easy. Whenever the history of our club comes to be written, Paddy Duggan, the flying winger will be a big part of it.
On behalf of the club including all his former teammates we would like to express our deepest sympathies to his wife May, son Henry, daughter Helen, brother Tommy and the extended Duggan, Coleman and Power families. We would like also to thank those who came from neighbouring and surrounding clubs and especially Ballyduff club for their co-operation and for flying the red and whites at half mast. "May you rest in peace Paddy, and may the soil of your adopted Ballyduff parish rest easy on you."
Courtesy of Waterford News and Star, 17th January 2012 Tweet
