There can rarely have been a more popular winner of the Pat Trainor Award for Lifetime Contribution to Primary Schools Gaelic Games than Pádraig à Catháin. The genial Duagh man was honoured at the Cumann na mBunscol Awards in Ballincollig and was presented with his award by Ãine McGlinchey, daughter of the late Pat.
Paddy was awarded the coveted
Pat Trainor Award for a lifetime of promoting Gaelic Games throughout his forty year teaching career which began in Walkinstown in Dublin in the early 1970's. He held a post in Ballyagran, Co. Limerick before returning to his native Duagh in 1980. He immediately set about organising inter- school games in the North Kerry district as Cumann na mBunscol wasn't functioning as a unit in the Kingdom at the time. When Cumann na mBunscol was reformed in 1994 Paddy was elected secretary, a position he held until 2011.
Paddy served on Coiste na mBunscol na Mumhan for eighteen years and was also Kerry delegate to Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta. A loyal worker for the cause of Duagh, Feale Rangers and Kerry, it was a proud moment for Paddy when his former pupil Anthony Maher won an All Ireland medal with Kerry in 2014 and brought the Sam Maguire back to Duagh.
Chomhghairdeachas Paddy.
