Kilcoo GAC are preparing to say farewell to their president Paddy Morgan, who was the epitome of a great clubman and played a key role in their 2022 All-Ireland Club SFC triumph.

Described as a ‘true legend’, Paddy served his beloved club in a variety of roles over a 60-year period and was instrumental in bringing through many of the players who delivered the Andy Merrigan Cup two years ago.

“Tuesday 13th of August 2024 will go down as one of the saddest days in the history of Eoghan Rua Cill Chua. This was the day our president Paddy passed away,” the Down champions said in an online tribute to Paddy.

“No words here will ever do justice to what Paddy Morgan has done for Kilcoo GAC. Paddy was our heartbeat, a leader, a man who did whatever needed to be done. When there was no one to do anything, Paddy did it all.

“The eldest of seven brothers, Paddy gave 60 years continuous service to Eoghan Rua Cill Chua. A remarkable length of time serving our club.

“The Drumena man served as Club secretary for 36 years, one of the longest serving administrators in GAA history. But Paddy was much more than a secretary. He cut pitches, lined pitches, put out the flags, put up the nets, washed the jerseys, picked teams, drove the club bus. His dedication to his beloved club was unlimited and he often recounted how he cut down trees in Tollymore Forest so that goalposts could be erected in Johnny’s Field thus allowing Kilcoo to field its first ever minor team. Paddy joined the committee of Kilcoo GAC in 1965 and has been involved ever since, becoming secretary in 1968 a position which he held until 2004.

“During his time, he accumulated an unrivalled knowledge of the games and administrative procedures of the GAA. His knowledge was well known and because of this he was often sought out for advice and guidance. Being a true Gael Paddy was happy to advise and offer help where he could and served on the East Down Board in 1974. He returned to serve on this Board in 2006 until 2019, spending four of these years as vice chair.”

The tribute continued: “Paddy loved Cill Chua. A joiner by trade, he gave up almost all of his spare time over the years serving the club. There was no happier man when the club firstly captured Down for the first time in 72 years in 2009, then Ulster and finally the All-Ireland club. The sense of pride he felt on those big days was immense to see the club he helped build reaching its potential."

 

Rest in peace, Paddy Morgan. https://t.co/Hx7aKXCtdo?

— Kilcoo GAC (@KilcooGAC) August 14, 2024

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