We are sorry to report the death of Down great Pat Rice. Pat was left full back as the Mourne's swept to historic All-Ireland successes in 1960 and '61. He also won NFL medals in 1960 and '62. The following is courtesy of Castlewellan GAC Pat Rice, has won every senior honour that could be won at Club or County level during his playing career. Despite his achievements he remains very humble,and unassuming. For 50 years Pat has been a dedicated Clubman, as passionate and enthusiastic today about the game he loves, as he was when he first pulled on the town jersey at 13 or 14 years of age. Despite his success at county level with the great Down team of the early 60's, and all the memories of classic games played alongside men of legend, he gets as much joy and gives the same encouragement and support to any of the Club teams of today, from juvenile through to senior team. Club Career In an interview a few years back for the Club magazine 'Over the Bar', Pat recalls that his own success came about as a result of the encouragement and support he received as a youngster. In particular he remembers Dan Rooney (hall of fame) and the late Paddy O'Donaqhue (hall of fame), who as young teachers in Castlewellan, introduced underage football at club level. Cyril Wells (hall of fame) was also heavily involved at club level with the underage teams. In Pat's time there was no U12 or U14 competition so Pat's first competitive game was an U.16 match against foot of the hill neighbours Annsbrough. He later moved on to play in the club's junior team before making his senior debut in 1953 when he played as a forward makes against Kilcoo. He was not; he admits an automatic choice, as the Rooney Bros. Dan Pat and Johnny, and the Rodgers, Pat, Kevin and Jim, as well as the Guinness's, Michael and John were in their heyday. Pat was only called upon when established players like Johnny O'Neill (hall of fame), Paddy McAleenan (hall of fame) or Brian Corrigan, father of Benny and Gee (Bryansford GAC), were unavailable. In 1950 Pat had been a member of the Castlewellan Minor Team which won this East Down League and this panel now formed the nucleus of the emerging senior team, which achieved runner up slot in the league in 1954 and went one better in 1955. Sean Young, (who went on to become manager of the Roscommon team) and at that time played for Derry was working in the Northern Bank and played his club football with Castlewellan at that time. In 1958 Pat was captain of the Castlewellan team that won the Championship and the Feis 7's. His team mates included Pat Small, Peter & Jim Jennings, High McAllister, Jim Rice (Pat's younger brother) and Eugene McGreevy (uncle of current Town senior player Finty). Their opponents in the final were Clonduff, the same opposition Castlewellan faced when they next won the Championship in 1965. On that occasion Pat lists among his team mates, Dermot 'Chum' McCabe, (father of Ciaran, a member of the 1994 Down all-Ireland winning side) Fr John Fitzpatrick (hall of fame), Des Farley, George Glynn, Dermot 'Ginger' Jennings, Hugh McAllister, Jim Rice, Mickey Magorrian and Tom McGrady. In 1964 Castlewellan again won the Senior League, suffering only one defeat, as Pat recalls, at the hands of Ballykinlar. He well remembers that match because of the display given by Paddy 'Mo' Doherty (Down team 1960s) who beat Castlewellan almost single-handed. Pat continued to play for the Town until 1974 when he eventually hung up his boots, and he still wears the watch, which the Club presented him with at that time. Pat is quite rightly proud of the fact that despite the physical nature of the game in the three decades that spanned his playing career, he was never sent off, and very seldom booked. Pat's retirement in 1974 was short lived, as he donned the club jersey to play for the II's and even turned out for the III's when they were first formed. In fact it used to be said that 'Big Pat' always kept his boots in the car in case the Town were ever a man short. County Career Pat's County achievement's include 2 All-Ireland Senior Medals in 1960 and '61, 2 National League medals in '60 & 62, 2 Railway Cup medals in '60 & '63, 3 Ulster Championship medals in '59, '60 &'61, a St Brendan Cup medal won in 1960 when Down defeated New York in Dublin and 4 Dr McKenna Cup medals, as well as Dr Lagan Cup medal. On top of that Pat played in two Ulster teams which were beat in the Railway Cup finals and he was selected to play for Ireland against the Combined Universities. This was the equivalent of an All Star today. In 1966 Pat was captain of the Down Junior Team, which was beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final. As is typical of Pat he makes no boast about his impressive achievements. In fact he is constantly thankful for the honours and enjoyment the game has given him, and puts it down to good luck as well as being patient and being determined to do well. Pat was never selected to play for the County at minor level or U.21 level and started his county career playing for the junior team in 1955. His debut was at right back against Monaghan in the Junior Championship, in Newry, a game that Down lost by a point. Monaghan incidentally went on to win the Junior All-Ireland title that year. In 1956 Pat played midfield on the junior team, and in 1957 he made his debut on the senior team in a challenge match against Armagh. Good displays for Castlewellan in the Feis 7's and in a Barony League, which had been organised to unearth new talent, resulted in Pat's call up to the Senior ranks. In that same year Pat played midfield against Donegal in the Ulster Championship, a game refereed by Mick Higgins one of the great Cavan players of that era, and he played against Tyrone in the final of the Dr Lagan Cup; although he remembers being taken off in that game. Incidentally Pat was left behind when the team travelled to Casement Park for the match and would have missed the final had not the late Sean King {grandfather of club hurler Gerard King} give him a lift. In 1958 Pat played at left full back, Leo Murphy was full back, and George Laverty was right back. This was to be Down's first choice fullback line on the successful team of the early '60's. 1958 was the beginning of the Maurice Hayes era, a man of great vision, whom Pat credits with being the architect of the great Down Team. It has his idea to introduce training for the County team, and this took place in Downpatrick or Dundrun, with Danny Flynn (the first principal of St Malachy's High School, Castlewellan) as trainer and Barney Carr as Manager. Dr Martin Walsh, TP Murphy, Maurice Hayes and Brian Denvir were the selectors. In that year Down reached the final of the Ulster Championship only to be defeated by Derry. The following year Down won the Ulster title defeating Cavan in the Final. Their opponents in the All-Ireland semi-final were Galway, whom they had already defeated in the Wembley Tournament in London. Pat remembers well the build up to the game. The team travelled to Dublin on Saturday afternoon. They stayed at Mosney, but found the waiting nerve wrecking, so much so that many players couldn't sleep and were totally off their game on the Sunday. Down lost the match and ever since whenever a Down team reaches the All-Ireland semi-final or finals they travel to Dublin on the day of the match. This was the case in 1960 and '61 when Down created history by becoming the first team to bring the Sam Maguire over the border. Pat played at left full back and remembers vividly the build up, the excitement, the crowds and of course the match. He also remembers that at the time of one of the finals there was a butchers strike in Dublin. It was part of the team preparation then, to have a steak lunch on arriving in Dublin at about 12.30pm,and Maurice Hayes arranged for steaks to be brought from Downpatrick, so as not to upset the player's routine. For Pat there were a lot of great moments at County level. He was part of the team that achieved a lot of 'firsts' First Down team to win the McKenna Cup First Down team to win the Wembley Tournament First Down team to win the Ulster Championship, and of course First Down team to capture the Senior Football Championship. Club Involvement After his playing days Pat continued his involvement with the Club. He turned his hand to refereeing but this didn't last long. He recalls refereeing a schoolboy match, and as the match progressed he became aware that the referee hadn't blown the whistle. Then he released he was the ref. but had been so involved in the game he forgot to blow. Pat also became a member of the Club Committee and was Club Chairman in 1974 and 1975, when the premises were purchased for the new social club (see social club history). Indeed Pat was one of the main voluntary construction workers involved in that project, and when the social club opened, Pat also did his voluntary stint behind the bar. Pat has been involved in the management of the club senior team on several occasions most notably in 1978 when he and Danny Hillen formed the panel which won the Kilmacud 7's as well as the championships of 1978 and '82. It was during this period that Pat game up with a catchphrase that has been passed down from team to team when faced with a crunch game. Picture the scene; it is in the 1970's; Castlewellan Seniors are about to play local rivals Bryansford in an important game. Recent meetings between the teams have usually ended in comprehensive wins for the 'Ford'; Castlewellan badly need a win to rescue their season; the players are almost ready to take the field; silence descends on the team as they wait in silence for some words of encouragement from the manager. A voice booms out 'Bryansford must be beat, - and Bryansford will be beat'. All eyes turn to the speaker. Pat Rice stands in the middle of the group, rubbing his hands and with determination written all over his face. Nothing more needs to be said; the players bounce out onto the field determined to make Pat's prediction come true. There could only be one result: Castlewellan record their first victory over Bryansford for several years and the season is saved. Work commitments through the 80s and 90s have taken Pat across Europe and the Middle East. But no matter where his work took him, Pat always met people who recognised him as part of the great Down team of the 60's and he feels that this made it easy for him to make new friends and provide plenty of material for a good nights crack. With his travelling days behind him Pat once again joined the Committee, and in 2001 is still there. He is also, once again a member of the senior management squad. But his work for the Club doesn't end there. After every home game, when the excitement is all over and players have changed and gone, Pat remains behind. The great man who has achieved the highest awards in Gaelic football and as a member of the famous Down team of the early sixties was a household name throughout Ireland, humbly lifts a brush and shovel followed by mop and bucket. For the next hour or more Pat will remain quietly working away, no doubt reliving great games, and when he leaves and turns the key in the changing rooms, they will be left ready and spotless for the next game. Such is the measure of Castlewellan's favourite son. Tweet

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