The Late Paddy Flanagan …
Mullingar Shamrocks Club extends its sympathy to the family of the late Paddy Flanagan, Millmount , Mullingar and especially to Paddy’s wife Judy, to his sons Fergal, Brian, Kevin and daughter Claire. Paddy’s funeral Mass will take place on Friday April 22, 2022 at 1.00 pm in the Cathedral of Christ the King followed by burial in Ballyglass cemetery. The Mass may be viewed live on www.mullingarparish.ie.
The word legend is frequently used without justification but for Paddy Flanagan the word is entirely appropriate. A gentleman first and foremost, Paddy served as president of both St Loman’s and Westmeath GAA. His playing and administrative careers spanned over 60 years, while the Westmeath SFC trophy which we were honoured to win on twelve occasion is named after him. After winning numerous championship medals with his beloved St Loman's (or Mental Hospital as they were then known) and starring for Westmeath, Paddy became county secretary in 1960 - a position he held until 1969.
He also served as county PRO for many years and won many MacNamee awards for his production of match programmes, particularly those for Leinster championship games. He became Leinster Council treasurer in 1993, retaining that position until well into the 2000s.
In his capacity as chairman of the Leinster Council's Communications Committee, Paddy edited Leinster championship programmes each year from 1975 to '97. He also oversaw the provincial body's Centenary Celebrations in 2000.
In addition, Paddy wrote a popular GAA column for the Westmeath Examiner for many years under the pseudonym 'Aindrias O'. In more recent times, he penned a column for the Westmeath Topic called ‘GAA Musings with Paddy Flanagan’. In 2004, he was honoured with a GAA president's award in recognition of his lifetime of service to the Association. He was also selected at full back on the Westmeath Football Team of the Millennium in 2000.
Paddy’s incredible collection of GAA material was readily available to those researching GAA history and thanks to Paddy’s appreciation of GAA history the minute books of Westmeath County Committee were preserved from the mid-1920s to the end of Paddy’s time as county secretary.
Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam.
