Ballinamore and Leitrim hurling mourns passing of Paddy O'Connor

Paddy O'Connor pictured with his son Kevin and the Stephen Dorrigan Cup after Ballinamore won the 2015 Leitrim Senior Hurling Championship title Picture: Willie Donnellan

Brón ar an mbás sé dubh ár gcroíse! The sad news came through this morning of the death of Paddy O’Connor after a long battle with illness. Paddy was for years the “Hurling man” in our midst. A native of Moneygall, technically in Offaly, but a proud Tipperary man when it came to hurling. Paddy promoted hurling in the Ballinamore Seán O’Heslins club for many years and his proudest sporting day was when the club won the Leitrim Senior Hurling Championship in 2015. Another great occasion was when they won an under 14 National Féile na nGael title.

Paddy was involved with Leitrim teams at county level also and he was Cathaoirleach of the Leitrim Hurling Board up until December last. At county level, his most memorable occasion was when Leitrim won the Lory Meagher Cup in 2019. Indeed, Paddy attended Leitrim’s matches in this year’s Lory Meagher Cup against Monaghan and Lancashire.

At club level, Paddy O’Connor filled many roles. He was Rúnaí of Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s club from 2002 to 2006 and he was coordinator of the club Lotto until the onset of Covid halted the Lotto. Fear é a bhí an-spéis sa Ghaeilge aige freisin. The club would like to extend sympathy to Paddy’s wife, Marie, sons Tadhg and Kevin and daughter Carl and extended family.

Dia go deo leis.

Sunday 4th June 2023, peacefully at the North West Hospice, Sligo.
 
DEATH NOTICE - PADDY O'CONNOR (Rtd. Garda Síochana), Killaneen, Ballinamore, Leitrim / Moneygall, Tipperary
 
Predeceased by his parents Tim & Sadie O'Connor and his beloved son Brian. He will be sadly missed by his wife Marie, his sons Tadgh & Kevin and his daughter Carol, his brother Tim, sisters Noreen & Bríd, son-in-law Colm, daughter-in-law Aoife, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, his adored grandchildren Líle, Sibéal, Éanna & Rían, Aunt Mernie, extended family, former Garda colleagues, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at Smith's Funeral Home High St., Ballinamore (N41 TD62) this Tuesday evening (6th June) from 5pm until 8pm. Removal from his residence on Wednesday morning arriving to St. Patrick's Church, Ballinamore, for Funeral Mass at 12 noon, followed by burial in Oughteragh Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to North West Hospice, Sligo c/o Smith's Funeral Directors. Funeral Mass may be viewed on-line at www.churchtv.ie/ballinamore. House Private Please