Leitrim mourns passing of legendary manager PJ Carroll

Leitrim GAA fans will be mourning after another of the county’s legendary managers of the early nineties has passed away with the news of the passing of former Leitrim, Cavan and Sligo boss PJ Carroll.

The former Leitrim boss, who also guided Aughavas to the Leitrim Senior Football Championship title 24 years ago in 2000, passed away peacefully with his family in Cavan General Hospital on Wednesday October 30.

Carroll’s arrival as manager in the winter of 1989 was the catalyst for one of the greatest spells in Leitrim GAA history as the Cavan Gaels clubman led the Green & Gold to an All-Ireland B Championship title in 1990 and a Connacht U21 title in 1991 as well as successive promotions in the League from Division 3 North to Division 1.

A passionate and driven figure, Carroll inspired a generation of Leitrim footballers to aspire to greater heights and while Roscommon proved a bogey team for his side, the foundations he laid paved the way for John O’Mahony to get Leitrim across the line in 1994. In a poignant twist, his successor as Leitrim manager John O’Mahony passed away earlier this year in July after illness.

In his own playing career, PJ represented Cavan at minor, U21, junior and senior level and also won three Cavan SFC titles, being named man of the match in the 1975 and 1977 Finals. He went on to serve as Cavan manager in 1978 while also managing his native county’s U21 and Minor teams in the eighties before joining Leitrim.

The former Leitrim manager also guided Kells’ Colmcille Gaels to a County title in 1991 and Castleblaney Faughs to a Monaghan SFC title in 1998 while he also served as a referee at club level in Cavan as PRO with the Cavan County Board.

Everyone associated with the Leitrim Observer and Leitrim GAA would like to pass on our heartfelt sympathy to PJ’s family and many friends on his passing. May PJ Rest In Peace.

The following is the death notice from RIP.ie

PJ (Patrick Joseph) Carroll , 9 Cootehill Road Cavan Town - peacefully in the loving care of his family and the staff at Cavan General Hospital. Predeceased by his parents Packie and Mary Ellen and his infant brother Thomas. Deeply loved by his wife of fifty years, Anne and the beloved father of Olivia , Annemarie, Caroline and Pauric. Adored grandfather to Ellen, Hannah, Ruairí, Dáithí, Malachi , Tadhg , Rìan and Cùan. Dearly missed by his sisters Pauline and Maureen , his brothers Martin and Sean (Dag), daughter in law Christine and son in laws Dan and Thomas, his extended family and his many friends and colleagues of the GAA Community.

Reposing at his home (9 Cootehill Rd, Cavan Town), on Thursday from 3pm until 7pm. Please use the car parking facilities at the Cathedral when calling. PJ's remains will leave his home on Friday at 2pm, traveling on foot to the Cathedral of S.s Patrick and Felim, Cavan , arriving for Funeral Mass at 2.30pm. Burial will take place afterwards in St.Brigid's Cemetery, Killygarry. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu to the Palliative Care Unit at Cavan General Hospital c/o Mc Mahon Funeral Directors, Farnham Rd, Cavan.

PJ's Funeral Mass can be viewed live on the parish website at www.cavantownparish.com/webcam. House strictly private to family on Friday morning please. A special thanks to the staff of St James Hospital and Cavan General for their help and support.