Hold ‘open trials’ for Drogs and Louth to honour Paddy Clarke

And then stage a match for charity

PADDY Clarke (right) was a great coach, a great man for soccer and GAA and indeed any sport going.

He sadly passed away recently, but Paddy is too great a man and left too much of an impression on so many people - especially his family - that 2019 should see something special to remember him and the very ethos he lived for - bringing talent to the top.

A suggestion I feel would do justice to him and his memory would be two games, GAA and soccer, but each unique in their own way.

Firstly, Drogheda Utd. The club should hold a day of ‘open trials’ - for anyone to come along and try out in front of the United management team.

Yes, the goal would be to impress the officials enough to be part of the club, but the main part would be to select 18 players that would form a team - ‘Paddy’s Heroes’ - and they would ultimately take on Drogheda Utd in a pre-season challenge game at United Park with the proceeds going to the Paddy Clarke Remembrance Fund for Young Players.

And the same process could take place in the GAA world. Wayne Kierans could run the rule over players in a similiar ‘Open Trial’ event, select a panel of say 22, and they take on Louth in a friendly with the Young Players fund again to benefit. And the Louth boss might also get one or two ‘finds’.

They would be special games for a special man.