Teconnaught hails award for stalwart

Teconnaught hails award for stalwart

27 March 2013

A LOCAL GAA stalwart has received a major accolade for his services to ladies’ gaelic football.

Teconnaught clubman Paddy Madine was the Ulster winner at the Tesco Home Club Person of the Year awards at Croke Park recently.

The awards, which are run in conjunction with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, shine a spotlight on the tireless work of stand-out volunteers.

A total of five awards were handed out, including four for the provincial winners and one for the overall club person of the year.

Paddy was a well-respected player in his time before progressing to coaching and managing ladies’ teams.

His commitment to the club is legendary and there are many examples of self-sacrifice as he constantly puts his teams first.

He once drove to the Donegal Gaeltacht to pick up several of his players for a match and then drove them back to Donegal.

Paddy received a crystal bowl, a Tesco hamper and a £50 voucher. The Teconnaught club received ten balls and a new team kit courtesy of Tesco.

Paddy was nominated by Teconnaught club secretary Colette Casement.

“Having three daughters who all play football, his heart and soul is in ensuring the future of ladies’ football in our club,” she said.

“He never misses a training session or a match. Even when the girls had a crucial match the day after his own daughter was knocked down and severely injured Paddy was there encouraging the girls.

“He has the respect of all the girls at all age levels and of all his coaching colleagues and club committee members.

“Paddy is also our club development officer and is currently working tirelessly to put the wheels in motion to provide us with new club facilities. He also attends the Ladies County Board meetings on a monthly basis on behalf of the club and reports back to the full committee.”

She added: “Last year when the Down U-16 girls management were really struggling for help, Paddy rallied round and enlisted the help of his wife and myself to help out at the matches. We travelled all over Ulster, with Paddy there and his beaming smile always encouraging the girls.”