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Down GAA County Board have expressed their deep sadness on the death of their "esteemed and much loved" Uachtarán Paddy Mac Flynn.
Seamus Walsh Chairman of Down GAA in paying tribute stated that ‘Paddy was an iconic figure in the world of GAA, a man who had held the top position in our organisation yet was always happiest when meeting and greeting people of all ages at Club and County matches. He was a wise Counsellor to all inside and outside of meetings and he will be greatly missed by all in Down GAA.'
Paddy had just completed his biography entitled 'Leading through the Troubles - A Life in the GAA'
Running to 250 pages, the autobiography tells an eventful story of the 95 years of his colourful, action-packed life, including his long association as Down Treasurer and as President and his involvement with Tullylish, of which he was also currently President.
The Board have released the statement below.
Paddy was a tremendous servant to the GAA. From his earliest days as a founding member of O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club in Magherafelt, to his last attendance at a meeting of Coiste Banisti in Down on the 29th April this year.
Indeed at that meeting which had been called to discuss the proposed Football review within Down, Paddy informed the members that ‘this was a massive job and the County would have to deliver on this task'.
Profound words indeed from a man who always delivered on the tasks at hand. A man who first came to Down as an administrator back in 1949 and served on East and South Down Boards, was Treasurer of the County Committee from 1955 to 1973 and Central Council and Ulster Council Delegate for many years.
It was indeed a very proud moment when Paddy was elected Uachtarán of Cumann Luthchleas Gael in 1979. His leadership in that period ensured that the GAA continued to grow and develop as the biggest amateur sporting organisation in this country and beyond.
We in Down have been privileged to have had a leader like Paddy MacFlynn in our midst, to have worked with him and learned from him has been a wonderful education. We are the richer for having had his presence amongst us.
Ar Dheis De go Raibh a Anam
