The great Paddy Joyce will be sadly missed
PADDY Joyce, who passed away on November 29th, has left a void in national athletics that will be hard to fill.
He had an interest in all sports, especially Gaelic football where he played for Mayo in his youth, but it was in athletics that he will be most remembered.
Paddy, who spent more than 50 years in athletics, was a great example of a coach, official and administrator in the development of Cushinstown AC, which he co-founded in 1972 - and as a visionary in the development of athletics at both county and national level over many years.
He helped many athletes successfully compete in regional, national and international competition and achieved great success in the Special Olympics.
While Paddy was a throws specialist, he could be relied upon to officiate in the muck and the rain at cross-country meetings. As an athletics official he was scrupulously fair to all competing athletes and was a great mentor to other new coaches and officials.
Paddy served on numerous committees - club, county and national. He served as Meath County Board registrar for more than 27 years and was the Cushinstown delegate to the County Board for over 45 years.
He also served on the National Competition Committee. He played an important role in the eventual amalgamation of the BLE and NACA when helping to organise the first mixed competition in 1998, which was held in Cushinstown. Such visionary endeavours sowed the seed of the coming together of these two organisations.
In addition to coaching and officiating, Paddy spent many hours in maintaining and preparing the club in Cushinstown for the many competitions that were held there. He was always available to help out, no matter how big or small the job was.
Paddy was acknowledged in 2009 when he was elected President of Meath Athletics for his lifetime dedication to athletics. In the preceding year he was given the Outstanding Services Award from Leinster Athletics.
In 2008 he was presented with a national award from the Community Games in recognition of his long-term commitment, dedication and contribution to the Community Games at local and county level.
Paddy’s association with the Games dates back to the early Seventies when, together with a small group - including his wife Kathleen - he founded Cushinstown Community Games.
Paddy, who was predeceased by Kathleen in 2005, promoted active participation in all aspects of the games and was rewarded for these efforts when the County athletic finals came to Cushinstown in 1990 where they still continue to be held 29 years later.
Paddy was a gentleman whose wit and gentle nature made it a pleasure to spend time in his company.
He recognised the importance of sport for young people and was an inspiration to all who knew him.
He always gave generously of his time, he was an inspiration to all those who met him and he will be sadly missed.