There was genuine sadness in Cavan and far beyond when the news broke that Paddy Carolan, Mullagh had passed to his eternal reward. His passing severs a link with the great Cavan teams of the past and sadly Paddy is the last player of the all-Ireland winning team of 1952 to pass away.
Paddy made an outstanding contribution to Cavan over many years. He played initially in the half-back line but he was soon moved to the half-forward line where his speed and strength were his greatest assets. Paddy played with Cavan minors in 1947 and the following year with the victorious Leinster Colleges’ team while he was a student in St Finnian’s Mullingar. His football career continued when he went to UCD and he played Sigerson football for a number of years winning a medal in the 1953-54 competition. He also played on the Combined Universities teams for three years in their representative games against the Rest of Ireland. Paddy played his first game for Cavan in the spring of 1950 and for much of the decade he was one of Cavan’s best known players. The Sunday following his debut Cavan played Kerry in the National League semi-final in Croke Park. PJ Duke was selected to play but he took ill quite suddenly a few days before the game and Paddy was drafted in to replace him. Cavan hammered Kerry by ten points and Paddy retained his place for the final. Cavan defeated Meath in the final and Paddy played a key role at right half-back.
The highlight of Paddy’s career was the two all-Ireland finals against his near neighbours Meath in 1952. In the first game Paddy’s brother Edwin scored a dramatic last minute point to force a draw. In the replay Cavan, although underdogs, were decisive winners. Paddy derived great satisfaction from defeating great rivals Meath in the final and to have his brother Edwin in the forward line with him capped a great day for the Carolan family and the Mullagh club.
Paddy was very loyal to his club Mullagh and while their successes were few he backboned the team that won a senior league in 1950 and a Cavan junior championship in 1955 overcoming a strong Lavey team in the final. Paddy was a staunch advocate of the amalgamation between Mullagh and Cross, believing that football in the parish would be a winner when both clubs came together.
Paddy was a great Cavan supporter and he was a regular at all county games until last year. He was a mine of information and wonderful company as he related stories and anecdotes from his playing days. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
The officers and members of Cavan Co Board extend deepest sympathies to Paddy’s wife Kitty and his family Aisling, Eamonn, Patrick, Ronan and Paul, daughters-in-law Barbara, Carol, Deirdre and Ann-Marie, grandchildren and extended family on their great loss.
Ar dheis lamh Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
