Patsy O’Mahony 3rd Kilworth person inducted into ‘Hall of Fame’
A very pleasant function was held in the Community Hall, Kilworth on Friday night last where Patsy O’Mahony was inducted into the Avondhu GAA Board ‘Hall of Fame’. This official appointment was made in 2019 but the presentation was deferred due to Covid-19.
John Courtney, Board vice chairman was MC for the occasion. John Heggtveit, chairman of Kilworth GAA Club, was first to speak. He paid tribute to Patsy O’Mahony who gave great service to the club, the divisional board and the Cork Co Board.
Barry Ahern outlined Patsy’s involvement in the GAA since his juvenile days in the late 50s. He was elected registrar of Avondhu Board in 1982 and soon became treasurer, a position he held for 25 years. He later became treasurer of the Rebel Óg North Board in 2010, a position he holds to this day.
Liam Kenny, Kilworth GAA Club vice chairman, in his address paid tribute to the work done by Patsy in promoting the GAA as a player, steward, lotto and Rebel Óg, Co Board Draw co-ordinator.
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
In 1959 Patsy was a member of the Kilworth U14 hurlers that won the divisional title. Two years later in 1961 he was a member of the Kilworth U16 hurling side that won the Avondhu title. Patsy captained the Kilworth U21 hurlers to divisional success in 1965. He won a North Cork JAHC title in 1966 when Kilworth beat their fellow parishioners Araglin in the final by 4-9 to 2-4.
In 1967 Kilworth retained the JAHC title and went on to claim County JAHC honours, defeating Cloughduv in the county final. He was a member of the Kilworth side that reached the County IHC semi-final in 1968 that lost out to Nemo Rangers. He was minor secretary in the late 1960s and club treasurer for 2 years.
In the early ‘70s, Patsy transferred his hurling allegiance from Kilworth to Araglin and was a member of the Araglin side that defeated Liscarroll in the Novice hurling final in 1973. He became delegate to the Avondhu Board in 1980 and was elected to the GPC. He was appointed registrar in 1982 and treasurer in 1986 and held the position for 25 years until rule changes prevented officers from continuing.
During his 25 years as Board treasurer he was involved in the distribution of tickets for games and he was involved in organising the many functions and looking after referees. Patsy, who has given a lifetime of service to the Association, also took a very keen interest in Avondhu senior teams.
Patsy has acted as a steward for Munster games in Cork, Killarney, Ennis, Thurles and Limerick over many years.
A keen pitch and putt player, in 1973 he won a Munster Junior Stroke championship title.
Patsy O’Mahony, a deserving recipient of the’ Hall of Fame’, is now the 3rd Kilworth person inducted into the Avondhu GAA Board’s ‘Hall of Fame’. The two previous Kilworth men to be awarded the honour were Pat Coughlan in 1982 and Bill Magnier in 1995 - both have now gone to their eternal reward.