Sadness at death of key figure in Killyclogher GAA club

AN instrumental figure in the development of the GAA in Killyclogher and West Tyrone during the past six decades has died.

Paddy Quinn from St Mary’s Road passed away on Thursday night. He was aged 90.

Mr Quinn was a key figure in the growth of gaelic games in the Killyclogher area following the re-establishment of the club 60 years ago. He served as a Trustee from then until his death -fulfilling the role with the late Brendan Harkin and John Bradley and had been treasurer for many years. He also served as chairman and assistant secretary.

In addition to being a player with them and part of their 1968 Junior championship winning team, he was also a keen and distinguished referee.

He refereed the 1981 Tyrone County Final between Derrylaughan and Carrickmore, having taken charge of the Intermediate Final in 1980.

He had been a key figure in the setting-up of the West Tyrone and Tyrone Referees Boards, and served on both for many years. Along with other referees of the time, Mr Quinn helped to give the organisation and training of referees much more significance and importance than had previously been the case.

Among the initiatives at that time was the setting-up of a Tyrone Referees team which played a number of challenge matches and organised the first referees’ trip to the United States.

A Railway Cup for referees was also organised, with the team playing the first gaelic football match in Hawai.

He was part of the team which worked on the first Tyrone Gaelic Games Annual in 1974.

Paddy will also be fondly remembered and acknowledged for his central role in the promotion of hurling in Killyclogher in the 25 year period from the middle of the seventies until the early 2000s.

His sterling coaching work at youth level during this period laid the foundations for the success that the club enjoyed at adult level, winning the Benburb Cup for the Tyrone Senior Hurling championship as a goalkeeper in 1977. 1991,1994 and 1995 and reaching the final in 1985 when he was joint manager alongside Mick Brennan.

He was centrally involved in acquiring the pitch facilities in Ballinamullin and in the development of the Parochial Hall in Killyclogher.

In addition, he helped in the development of the club facilities at Ballinamullin, designing their initial clubhouse and handball alley.

A joiner by trade, he worked for many years as clerk of works at what would now be the Department for Infrastructure. One of his projects in later years was as clerk of works at the construction of the new stand at Healy Park in 2003 and 2004.