As chairman of Shercock, former player Paddy Donnery serves his local club above and beyond the call of duty. He also ensures that the motoring needs of the Breffni County are met as boss of Donnery Opel on Cavan town's Dublin Road. Shercock club chairman Paddy Donnery has worked in Opel for over 30 years. Today, he holds the marque's franchise for County Cavan, providing the people of the area with the best choice in new and pre-owned cars and commercial vehicles. The versatile Opel range remains one of the most popular in Ireland and the back-up service is quite simply second to none. This is why Opel is the lifetime choice of so many drivers. Paddy worked for J&M Motors for the guts of ten years, 1996-2005, before opting to go out on his own. He recalls: "I took over the Opel franchise in 2006 and I also leased the premises from J&M." Today, the Shercock clubman runs one of the county town's best-appointed and most recognisable motor dealerships - and business is going well. "I had a great year last year and I'm very encouraged by that," he reveals. "I have a good knowledge of the product and that certainly helps. People like to deal with somebody who knows the product inside-out. I stick to the Opel brand because I believe in it. It's a very reliable and economical brand, as good as what's out there." But Donnery Opel won't just sell you cars. The sale is only the first transaction in a partnership that lasts as long as the vehicle. "We provide a full back-up service. We believe in looking after our customers. It's not just a matter of selling them a car and then closing the door. When a customer comes back to us with a problem, they know we will look after them in a fair and efficient manner." Between sales, service and a fully-stocked parts department, Paddy provides gainful employment to a total of 14 people and he is a firm believer in the value of providing a personal touch: "That was the one thing we looked at and decided was very important. I was involved in the motor industry for years and I decided that it was vital that we offered a personal touch - that we take a genuine interest in our customers and their welfare. My wife, June, left her teaching post to come in and run the accounts department and we are here all the time to talk to customers and look after them." The quality of the Opel range speaks for itself. Corsa, Astra and Vectra are instantly-recognisable names and the outstanding reputation enjoyed by all models within the Opel range is one of the few constants in an otherwise unreliable world. There is great excitement surrounding the recent launch of a new version of the Vectra, while the new Corsa is the best-selling car in its (small car) class. The Astra, meanwhile, is the top selling model in the Opel range. As sponsor of the GPA monthly awards, Opel has consolidated its association with gaelic games. Kits For Clubs is another Opel initiative that has proven extremely beneficial to grass roots GAA. Of Opel's famed willingness to throw its lot behind sport and the public in general, Paddy comments: "In the early years, Opel was well known for its sponsorship of soccer and it had a worldwide association with soccer. But Opel is becoming more and more associated with the GAA. As a GAA man myself, I think it's fantastic. It's great to see Opel involved in promoting the GPA and the Kits For Clubs is a really worthwhile initiative. It goes right down to grass roots level and enables clubs to get their hands on precious playing and training gear. This is a big help because running a GAA club these days is an expensive business and every bit of help is greatly appreciated." Paddy should know. He's had a lifelong association with Shercock GFC and has been chairman for the past three years. Between his responsibilities running the business and the club, it's been a hectic few years for Paddy but the amiable Shercock gael wouldn't have it any other way. Paddy played football at every level for Shercock, from U12 up. Since hanging up his boots he has become involved in coaching and has Level One coaching qualifications, playing a key role as the club enjoyed a flurry of recent juvenile success, winning various U12, U13, U14 and U15 titles. As a man who has been involved in the club in one capacity or another for the best part of 40 years, Paddy is better qualified than anybody to comment on the current state of play in Shercock: "We have a good youth policy with some great young players coming through. We've been knocking on the door and that should hopefully translate into adult success somewhere down the line. We got to an U21 Division Two final in 2006 and were beaten by a team that probably should have been playing in Division One. There are players there, ready to come through, so hopefully the future of the club is in good hands." The people of the town are craving success at adult level, of course, and this is the demand that is most pressing of all. Shercock last won a junior championship in 1979 (adding an intermediate title in '84, to go senior for a few years) and their main priority is to bridge the 29/24-year gap(s). "We need to win a junior football championship," Paddy concedes. "That's the one that's been eluding us and that's the one we're gunning for. I'm hopeful that the lads can make a real push for championship glory this year. We're also working on doing up the pitch at the moment, so things are looking up." Paddy's son Stephen (15) plays for the club and his daughter Maria is involved in Irish dancing, a skill she inherited from her mother's (multiple All-Ireland medal winning) side of the family. He's a great gael and he also offers discerning motorists a great deal at Donnery Opel. Tweet

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