Death of Paddy Coleman - Youghal AC
Paddy Coleman R.I.P. - Condolences
March 20th 2021
Paddy Coleman, R.I.P.
The Officers and Officials of Cork Athletics County Board extend their condolences and deepest sympathy to the Coleman family; his wife Ann, sons and daughters Claire, Jack, Deirdre and Robert, and his extended family, on the death of our esteemed colleague Paddy Coleman, former Chairman of Youghal AC, and member of several Cork National Senior Cross-Country Championship winning teams.
Paddy's contribution to athletics leaves a lasting legacy
The death has occurred of Paddy Coleman,
Summerfield, Youghal, Cork / Aghabullogue, Cork
Paddy passed away, suddenly, but peacefully, at the Mercy University Hospital Cork. He will be sadly missed by his wife Ann, sons and daughters Claire, Jack, Deirdre and Robert, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Paddy's funeral will take place privately in keeping with current Government guidelines on Covid 19.
Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Church Services website from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, The Strand, Youghal, from 11am Tuesday morning. Alternatively the Youghal Parish website.
Please leave your messages of support for Paddy's family in the condolences section.
Tribute by John Walshe
DEATH OF PADDY COLEMAN, R.I.P.
The death has taken place of Paddy Coleman from Youghal, one of Cork’s outstanding middle-distance runners of the 1960s. Although his career was cut short due to injury, his performances as a 21-year-old during the summer of 1965 are still recalled today.
At the Cork City Sports, one of the finest fields seen in NACA competition assembled for the 1500m. The line-up featured Dick Hodgins of UCC, along with Bobby Buckley (Grange), Denis Buckley (St Finbarr’s) and Mick Heery from Dublin.
At the bell, Hodgins had a slight lead from Heery, Coleman and the two Buckleys. Down the back straight, Coleman made his move and despite the best efforts of Bobby Buckley he held on for victory in 3:53.0, just outside the then Irish NACA record of 3:52.3.
Coleman’s performance won him the prestigious John O Jagoe Memorial Trophy (later known as the American Trophy) for the most outstanding performance at the City Sports.
Four days later, he won the Munster mile title at Cobh in 4:20.0 and then at the NACA championships in Banteer he won his second Irish title, this time again over the classic one mile distance. The time was a slow 4:21.5 (compared to his best of 4:12) but, as he explained a half-century later, “it was all about the winning.”
After such a successful track season in 1965, Paddy was offered a scholarship to East Tennessee State University which he didn’t take up. A problem with deep seated varicose veins would signal a premature end to his all-too short athletics career.
Paddy later became chairman of Youghal GAA and was one of the driving forces behind the wonderful facilities now enjoyed by the seaside club.
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