Paddy Carroll part of Dillonstown side
October 1985
MR. Patrick Joseph (Paddy) Carroll, Annagassan, whose death took place at Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, was father of Mr. Noel Carroll, former Irish army man, and international athlete, and public relations officer of Dublin Corporation, and frequent contributor to the national media.
Known for miles around, and highly regarded, especially in his native spot, the deceased had been on the payroll of the Charles Dougherty Company in the former Annagassan Mills for several years and also worked in England. He was a fine Gaelic footballer in his youth, having figured on the Dillonstown side which defeated Cooley Kickhams in the 1938 final of the second division championship, played in desperate weather conditions at the old Athletic Grounds in Dundalk.
The late Thomas (‘Slan’) O’Neill, captained that successful Dillonstown side, with Paddy Carroll and Paddy Crilly forming the midfield pairing. And a then emerging John Caffrey, later to win senior honours with Stabannon Parnells (and now also deceased) was also on the team. Surviving members, including the deceased’s brother, Peter, attended the obsequies.
When the humour was on him, Paddy Carroll wouldn’t need a whole lot of coaxing to lead his audience in a singsong and he was also a dab hand in recounting happenings of the Annagassan of other days. There was also a serious side to the man, a point emphasised at the Friday funeral Mass in Dillonstown Church by Rev. Monsignor Michael Campbell.
Chief mourners: sons, Noel, Dublin and Patsy, Dunleer; daughters, Kathleen (Mrs. Gotts, Luton, London) and Helena (Mrs. Keegan, Mountmellick, Co. Laois); brother, Peter, Castlebellingham; sisters, Patricia (Mrs. Maguire, Belfast) and May (Mrs. Smith, London); also grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces etc.