Proposal to honour Mayo GAA legend Paddy Muldoon
A proposal by former Mayo GAA County Board chairman, Mike Connelly, to honour one of Mayo’s greatest GAA legends, the late Paddy Muldoon, Westport, by naming the bottom room in McHale Park (next to the Dr. Mickey Loftus Room) ‘The Paddy Muldoon Room’, was put to delegates at a full Mayo GAA County Board meeting last night.
In his proposal, Mr. Connelly said that the late Paddy Muldoon was one of the greatest officials of Mayo GAA of all time and there wasn’t a club in the county that he didn’t help in some form or another.
“It is only a few weeks ago that I attended the first anniversary Mass for the late Paddy Muldoon.
"As you all know he was one of the greatest Mayo GAA members the county has ever had.
"For over 50 years he was the cornerstone in Mayo GAA’s developments where he occupied many roles and positions,” said Mr. Connelly.
He continued: “Although Paddy first won a west Mayo junior medal with Islandeady in 1959, he returned to his roots in Westport soon after.
"It wasn’t long after that he started out his great journey in administration that included being a former chairperson of Mayo GAA as well as Central Council delegate, insurance officer, co-founder of the Green & Red Trust, team selector and chairperson of the minor board where, during his tenure, Mayo secured three All Ireland titles.
"In the mid-1960s he became chairman of the Westport club, a position he held for the following nine years.
"He was also a successful manager as he led the Westport junior team to a county junior championship win.
"That same year he was a selector on the Mayo minor team.
"In 1971 the Mayo minors won the All-Ireland and Paddy was also on the line that day as a selector.
"Paddy was also a selector for the Mayo senior team in the early seventies.
"In 1980 he was elected chairman of the Mayo County Board and during his eight-year term Mayo won two Connacht senior titles, an All-Ireland Under-21 title and a minor title.
"When he stepped down he headed straight for Croke Park and to Central Council where he remained for many, many years.
“Above all else, Paddy was the one to go to if problems arose and he sorted them.
"With insurance he helped every club in the county and he continued this help right up to the very end of his life.
“During my 14 years involved with Mayo County Board, including when I was chairman, the help Paddy gave me, like he did to others, was second to none. I am sure our current chairman (Seamus Tuohy) would fully agree with this.
“I feel it would be a great pity if we didn’t honour Paddy for what he did for Mayo GAA. That is why I am proposing we name the bottom room in McHale Park in his honour just like we have the Dr. Mickey Loftus Room,” said Connelly.
In response to Mr. Connelly’s proposal, the chairman Seamus Touhy, said he agreed fully with what Mr. Connelly said about the late Paddy Muldoon.
“The late Paddy Muldoon was a fantastic man and was a fantastic help to me. What he did for Mayo GAA was unreal. He helped everyone in any way he could.
“We will discuss this proposal at the next executive meeting and come back at the November meeting of the county board,” added Tuohy.