Kilmaine remember one of their own

MEMORIES?The late Padraig O’Dea is pictured in action for Kilmaine. A football match will be played in his honour next weekend.?Pic: Michael Donnelly

Kilmaine remember one of their own


Willie McHugh

IN former times, most Kilmaine and Shrule footballers joined St Anthony’s GAA Club, Reading when they moved to London. But PΡdraig O’Dea from Cloonamealtogue outside Kilmaine always blazed new frontiers.
When PΡdraig went to London he joined Kingdom Kerry Gaels. It didn’t take their manager Noel Dunning long to cop he had a good one in the young lad from Mayo. He regularly collected PΡdraig from the tube station, transporting him to their Finchley home ground for training and matches.
Dunning’s faith and belief in PΡdraig was well placed. As well as being a popular member among his team-mates, he also helped Kingdom Kerry Gaels win the London Championship and League, as well as the prestigious Conway Cup in 2012.
A fatal road accident in London last September robbed PΡdraig’s family of a loving son and brother, and his friends of a colleague who only brought fun and laughter to their lives.
PΡdraig O’Dea left a good and lasting impression wherever he went.  When his remains arrived back in Kilmaine, he was accompanied by members of the Kingdom Kerry Gaels Club.
And as a further measure of the esteem PΡdraig O’Dea was held, Kingdom Kerry Gaels are returning to Kilmaine next Saturday evening to play his home club in the PΡdraig O’Dea Cup. This visit is the honouring of a promise made by Noel Dunning and the officers of Kingdom Kerry Gaels Club at PΡdraig’s funeral last year.
PΡdraig was taken from this world in the prime of life and long before his time. But family, friends and football was what he lived most for. And there no better way he’d like to be remembered than by his teammates playing a game of football. That’s why a large crowd is expected in Kilmaine on Saturday evening next for a 6pm throw-in.
PΡdraig O’Dea will be there in spirit.