RI P 

PATRICK (PADDY) COONEY

5th April 2019

It is with great sadness we acknowledge the sudden passing of Patrick (Paddy) Cooney. The Gentleman of Mullingar RFC.

"Ah, sure how are ye.." Paddy would greet one and all without fail on a match day at Shay Murtagh Park, in fact on a touchline wherever we were playing in the province, the country and on tour. The greeting was always well received, in any language and his firm handshake accepted, We remember with fondness Paddy in Argentina, a true ambassador for Mullingar Rugby Football Club.

Paddy's time with Mullingar spans well over 50 years and in that time he was ever present. He Captained the 1st XV in the 1966/67 Season, became President in 1978 and did such a marvellous job stayed in office until 1982, he sat on every committee in the Club at one point or another, his favourite being the selection committee where he was at his most humorous but serious self when a critical decision on who should play and on what team was needed (and we had four senior sides back then). Paddy would leave the Roche T room with his trademark grin, leaving the anxious players awaiting their fate none the wiser as to their selection. He even had plenty to say about one Joe Schmidt (all good mind you) at the selection meetings "Ah sure he's a decent lad, stick him in at 15 and see how he goes" little did any of us realise at the time how far he would go.

Paddy became an Honourary Life Member in 1992 and then a Trustee of the Club, and in this role his good council always steered the Club in the right direction. 

There is of course the other Paddy, the man outside his role (s) in the Club. A real supporter of rugby, a great story teller and a lover of good old banter. The craic we shared with him and enjoyed so much post match in the bar will be sorely missed. Ah, the old place will seem that much quieter and empty on a Sunday now, but the fox would prefer we raise a glass in a toast rather than...well you know. 

We all have a great Paddy moment and lovely Paddy memory, and that’s simply a testament to a true Mullingar Rugby Football Club great.

Our heartfelt deepest sympathies - pre-deceased brother Jim and sisters Nuala and Denise. 

His wife Pamela, son James, daughters Fay, Olivia, and Rachel, sisters Mai, Sr. Olive O.P, Renée and Margaret, sons in law Jim and Marc, grandchildren Ellen, Anthony, Joseph, Mia, Seán, Alison, Isla, Adi, Marcus, and Patrick, nieces, nephews, relatives and many his many friends.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Funeral Arrangements -

Reposing in St. Camillus Nursing Centre Chapel, Killucan, this Sunday (7th April) from 4 pm followed by Mass at 6 pm removal thereafter to St. Joseph’s Church, Rathwire to arrive approx. at 7.15 pm. Funeral Mass on Monday (8th April) at 11 am with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.

There will be a Guard of Honour following the Funeral Mass