Loyal Syddan and Meath GAA servant Patsy Duff passes away
January 31, 2017
Anxious faces along the sideline at the 1980 senior final, Syddan v Walterstown - Pasty Farrelly (with suitcase and Robinson's Barley Water), the great Paddy Meegan and Patsy Duff, who was a selector on the big day. The young boy on the Syddan bench is Aidan Dillon.
The sad passing of Patsy Duff has left a void in Syddan GAA club which will be difficult to fill.
The Duff family name is synonymous with the north Meath club and the late and popular Patsy more than played his part.
His brother Seamus refereed the infamous 1965 Meath SFC final between Kilbride and Skryne while another brother, Tom, featured for Meath and was involved in the All-Ireland SFC winning campaign of 1954.
A knee injury curtailed Patsy's playing career but he served Syddan in a variety of capacities, including chairman, and was also well-known throughout the county as an underage mentor.
He acted as a Meath minor football selector for approximately 25 years and was involved with the Tom Markham Cup successes of 1990 and '92.
His nephews Shay and Philip have worn the club and county colours with distinction while well-known singer Mary Duff is a niece.
Patsy's son Joe also represented Syddan GFC while his daugther Breda is married to Ciaran Carolan, a former Nobber player who is now involved with the St Peter's, Dunboyne club.
Patsy was an Honorary President and trustee of the Syddan club at the time of his death and the club has issued the following tribute on its Facebook page:
'Syddan GFC has lost another of its greats following the death on Monday morning of club stalwart and former chairman Patsy Duff.
'Patsy who was club president and trustee at the time of his death gave a lifetime of commitment not only to the Syddan club but the GAA in general.
'He was the ultimate volunteer as he soldiered with the club through thick and thin over many decades.
'He also served the county with distinction for over a quarter of a century as a minor selector.
'During that time Meath won All-Irelands in 1990 and 1992 as well as six Leinster titles. Patsy was a shrewd judge of football and during his spell as a selector he travelled the four corners of the county picking out young players to represent Meath.
'He held many positions within the club down the years and was also a selector when Syddan last reached the county senior final in 1980.
'Until quite recently when illness took hold, Patsy never failed to turn up at the clubhouse on a Wednesday night with his bundle of lotto tickets.
'The club offers its sympathy to his wife Susie, son Joe, daughter Breda, son in law Kieran, grandchildren Niall, Amy and Luke, brother Tom, and extended family.
'All activities within the club have been cancelled as a mark of respect.
'Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis'.
Funeral arrangements:
Reposing at St. Joseph's Chapel of Rest, Old Johnstown, Navan, from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday & from 5pm to 8pm on Wednesday. Funeral Mass Thursday morning at 11am in The Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. House private Thursday morning please.
Tweet
