Huge sadness at death of ‘one of the best’, Pat
There is great sadness in Aughrim at the news of the death of Pat Bracken at the age of 45.
A popular figure within Wicklow GAA, many clubs and individuals across the county have paid tributes to a hugely respected trainer. His many achievements included coaching the Aughrim U14 team to success at the All-Ireland Féile earlier this year.
Pat had a long assocation with Aughrim GAA club, stretching back over 30 years. He was captain of the U14 hurling Féile team that went to Co Offaly to represent the Garden County in 1988.
Things came full circle earlier this year when he coached the U14 football team to All Ireland Féile success in Co Leitrim alongside manager Eugene ‘Susie’ O’Brien.
‘He loved working with these kids. They have been a part of his life since he started training them in the school up until recently when he had been training them to win the U15 title against An Tochar,’ said Eugene O’Brien.
‘Pat has touched the lives of so many within the GAA circle and outside of it. He was an avid Dubs supporter and never missed a game. This was his most memorable year between winning the Feile and the Dubs dong the five in a row. He was a very proud GAA man.
‘His legacy will live on at the club and he will never be forgotten. He was a true friend and a great coach and trainer.’
In recent times, he trained the Knockananna Senior Camogie team to championship titles in 2012 and 2013. Pat also coached the Aughrim senior team to an intermediate football title in 2014.
In 2016, he coached Knockananna to a Junior B title in his first year of involvement with the club. The team played in the Swan Cup junior A final within the space of three weeks of achieving their Junior B title in October 2016.
‘He will always be remembered in Knockananna for his commitment and knowledge of the game. It’s a huge loss,’ said Eugene Canna.
Wicklow County Chairperson Martin Fitzgerald described Pat as ‘one of the best physical trainers I have ever worked with.’
‘He was easy to work with, enthusiastic, professional and positive.’
Pat had coached many teams across the county including Tinahely Ladies football, Wicklow Ladies football, Knockananna Camogie and Arklow Rocks.
Pat was also a hurling selector with Wicklow GAA.
He will be hugely missed by his family, a wide circle of friends and the entire Wicklow GAA community.
At the time of going to print, funeral arrangements had yet to be announced. May he rest in peace.
PAT’S LEGACY WILL LIVE ON AT THE CLUB AND HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HE WAS A TRUE FRIEND AND A GREAT COACH AND TRAINER