Patsy Shaughnessy honoured by the wider Kilmaine community

PATSY Shaughnessy has been a true stalwart of the Kilmaine community down through the years. It was entirely fitting that neighbours and friends came up with the idea of holding an appreciation night for a man who has devoted so much of his life to the service of his beloved home parish. The response was overwhelming and a true reflection of the regard in which Patsy is held around the region.

Kilmaine Community Centre was the venue for the recent celebration party and it was a special night for Patsy and his family from Rathgranagher as the community rallied in style to say a big ‘thank you’ to a man who has rendered amazing service to generations of young people in the general Kilmaine area. This involved Kilmaine GAA, the local schools, involvement in community enhancement, church related matters, Pioneers and much more.

He was one of the first true pioneers of the promotion of girls football in this area through his massive promotion of the game at Cumann na mBunscol level where he organises annual tournaments that attracted huge interest and laid the foundations for the development of the game throughout the south Mayo region.

It was little wonder that some of those young players went on to don the Mayo jersey over the years and some were members of the All Ireland winning Mayo teams in the 1999-2003 era when they captured four out of five titles. Others were members of the very successful Ballinrobe Community School teams that captured national honours as well.

Patsy could hardly escape the GAA bug after marrying Joan McGrath whose family has been steeped in the tradition over the years. Her brother Joe won an All-Star award during his playing days with Mayo in the 1970s while Des won an All Ireland U-21 medal with Mayo in 1974.

Her brother PJ was involved in all aspects of the GAA in Mayo, Connacht and at national level while also refereeing one of the most famous All Ireland finals of all, the 1982 game when a last minute goal by Offaly’s Seamus Derby denied Kerry a famous five in a row.

Their family of four, daughters Sinéad and Siobhan, and sons Ronan and Brian were all present for the big night with Ronan making the long journey home from Canada to share in the celebrations along with all the grandchildren.

The fondness for Patsy was palpable as so many people shook his hand and joined in the warmest of words of gratitude and thanks for his incredible commitment to the people of the area for over four decades.

Padraig O’Brien, who was chair of the organising committee and who spear-headed the appreciation night, was the compére for the ceremony and excelled on the night. Three local councillors, Damien Ryan, Patsy O’Brien and Michael Burke, all joined in the warm tributes.

Four presentations were made to Patsy on the night. Donal Walsh made one on behalf of Kilmaine GAA Club and Kevin Sheridan presided at the presentation from the local community. Ann Walsh officiated at a presentation on behalf of Kilmaine Village Enhancement while Michelle Walsh did the honour on behalf of TACU.

The Walsh family, Ernestine, Eugene and John and their staff, provided a lovely meal for all in attendance and music for the night was provided by Trevor Moyles from Ardagh.

It was an amazing night and a wonderful tribute to Patsy for his outstanding contribution to his home parish and region all down the years. We join in the expressions of congratulations to him on this special occasion and wish him good health and all the best in the times ahead.