Offaly community in mourning at sad death of much loved local man

DURROW was plunged into mourning this week following the untimely death of a much loved local man.

Padraig McDermott, Ballybought died last week after a battle with illness. In his early 60s, his death has devastated his family and community.

A very well known, widely popular, immensely likeable individual, Padraig worked in the building trade all his life and was known far outside his local area.

He was immersed in GAA and football all his life and was a very keen golfer for several years. Just last April, he was in great form and very proud when Durrow GAA pitch was named as Pairc MacDiarmada for five years – sadly, his life changed within a few months when he was diagnosed with a serious illness.

The McDermott family had got together to purchase naming rights of the ground to honour the memory of five brothers who had starred for the club in the 1940s and '50s: Mick, Jim, Patsy, Brendan and John McDermott.

Two of those, Mick and Brendan McDermott were also founding members of Tullamore Harriers in 1953. Mick was Padraig's father – a very talented footballer, hurler and runner, he unfortunately died after falling off a ladder at work in Williams Waller in Tullamore at just 44 years of age in 1970.

He left behind his wife Maureen and a young family of nine children, all under 11 years of age and the youngest just two days old. Padraig was the oldest of the nine children and his childhood changed with the turmoil that befell the family.

The enduring popularity of the McDermott family, the respect they are held in and the way they have progressed through life is a tribute to their late father, their mother Maureen, all the children and the support they received from family, neighbours and friends as they grew up.

Padraig epitomised all that was good about them. He was a character with an endearing personality and manner. He was a hard worker, a decent personable man, great company and good fun to be with. He enjoyed life and the banter that accompanied GAA, golf and work – he had a great sense of humour. He was a fine conversationalist and was very easy and pleasant company.

The McDermott family have been particularly associated with the GAA in Durrow, as players and officers. A brother of Padraig, Tom is the current chairman and Padraig served the club loyally all his life. He was a very good, solid defender, generally playing at full back. He played in that position on the Durrow team that won the Junior Football Championship in 1982 – they celebrated their 40th anniversary with a reunion just a few weeks ago.

Padraig was an old fashioned type full back. He was tough, fearless, didn't suffer fools gladly and protected the square with every ounce of his being. He was particularly adept at winning high ball. His first priority was to clear his lines and get the ball out of the danger area.

After retiring from playing, he continued to devote himself to his club. He was club treasurer for over ten years, bring his customary atttributes of dependability and honesty to that position and he was also on committee for years. He was a selector on various Durrow teams, occupying that role as they won the Junior Football Championship in 2000. He was a real Durrow man and always wanted the best for his club and area.

He also got great pleasure out of golf. A member of Tullamore GAA Club, this was an outlet he greatly enjoyed – he savoured the relaxed environment of the golf course and the sociability of playing with and conversing with others during a round. He was a leading member of Durrow Golf Society and was always at the centre of things on their annual weeknd away.

He was a brilliant carpenter with a reputation for the quality of his work and he helped make the Durrow Church crib each year at Christmas. While carpentry was his trade, he was adept at many more aspects of the building industry, capable of doing a wide range of jobs.

His popularity was best illustrated by the many hundreds of people who queued for an hour plus in the wet, wind and cold on Sunday evening to sympathise with his family at his house in Durrow and the many who attended his funeral on Monday.

Predeceased by his daughter Jenny, father Michael and brother Enda, Padraig is survived by his loving wife Mary and family Valerie, Lorraine and Niall, his mother Maureen, son in law Mark, grandchildren Senan, Jared, Remi, Ruairí and Odhran, brothers Tom, Brian, Finian, Ian and Michael, sisters Stephanie, Veronica and Mary, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.

May he rest in peace.