Fermanagh and Tyrone GAA mourns Pat King

April 13, 2015

The late Pat King.

The death has occurred of former Tyrone footballer and Fermanagh manager Pat King.

The Trillick native, who died last night, played senior football for Tyrone before moving to Lisnaskea after taking up a job as a PE teacher in St. Eugene's College, Roslea.

Pat was a wing forward on the fine Tyrone team, Frank McGuigan starring at midfield, which captured the Ulster title in 1973 and at a time when such titles were a rarity in the Red Hand county.

He won five Tyrone senior championship medals with his native Trillick and is on record as the oldest winning player to start a Tyrone senior county final. Pat was voted man of the match in the Tyrone decider of 1980 and in 83 captained Trillick to a league and championship double.

Pat King was all of 39 years in 1986 and indeed he was back the following year only for Ardboe to put a halt to Trillick's gallop. Later he was to win a Fermanagh senior championship with his adopted Lisnaskea.

He was perhaps best known for his role as Fermanagh manager in the late 1990s. Under his stewardship, the Erne County managed a hat-trick of successes in the McKenna Cup, All-Ireland 'B' championship and Division 4 of the National League. He also led them to a first Ulster championship victory in eight years in 1999. He was widely credited with the rise in Fermanagh's footballing fortunes during this period.

Pat passed away at his home after a short illness. He is survived by his three sons; Barry, the multi talented Shane - a former Fermanagh and Down footballer - and Ronan.

May he rest in peace.


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