Tributes have been paid to a GAA “true legend” who had previously been one of the longest-serving club secretaries in Co Down.
Paddy Morgan, who was president of Kilcoo GAC, died on Tuesday, the club said.
Mr Morgan, who was in his late 70s, had served for two decades as president of the club, and before that was its secretary for over 30 years.
Kilcoo, which in 2022 won the All-Ireland club football championship, paid tribute to their colleague, and in a social media post said they learned of his passing with “great regret”.
A spokesperson said on Tuesday that the club grounds, Pairc Eoghain Rua, would be closed “with immediate effect” until after his funeral, adding: “We keep the entire Morgan family in our prayers at this sad time. RIP Paddy, a true legend of Cill Chua.”
Current Kilcoo secretary, Seamus O’Hanlon, told the Irish News Mr Morgan “was known far and wide” in Down and beyond, and had been a club delegate to the county board.
It’s with great regret this afternoon we learned of the death of our president Paddy Morgan. Pairc Eoghain Rua will be...
Posted by Kilcoo GAC on Tuesday 13 August 2024
“He was hugely respected, and had a great depth of knowledge,” Mr O’Hanlon said.
“Paddy was old-school GAA, and is one of the inspirational figures that made the club what it is today.”
He said the 2022 crowning of Kilcoo as All-Ireland club champions was an “extremely proud” day for Mr Morgan.
Club player Jerome Johnston said ahead of that match that Mr Morgan was his “idol”.
“Paddy managed every underage team in Kilcoo when I was growing up, he refereed the match, he was secretary, he drove the bus, he’s now the club president,” he said.
