Tribute to Paddy Lennon 1941-2006

TRIBUTE TO PADDY LENNON 1941-2006

Paddy will be remembered as a footballing legend in his own time, a truly dedicated and talented footballer, representing his county and both his clubs Maryland and Tang with honour.

In fact one extract from “The Irish Press” recalls a feature called the Lennon Touch, featuring the Tang fullback Paddy Lennon sailing high into the clouds above a sea of Dublin forwards (including the great Jimmy Keavney). Paddy’s career with Westmeath County included a Junior Leinster Final in 1963 against Wexford, and in 1964 they captured the O’Byrne Cup defeating Carlow in the final.

Paddy played Inter County from 1963-67 and played along with many great players, T.J.Finneran, Mick Carley, George Keane, Pat Buckley and Tommy Dolan at County Level, also Oliver Dolan, Richard Brown and his brother Tom who played on that great Maryland team who were unfortunate not to win a championship. In a career spanning 25 years Paddy won a Minor Championship with St. Martins in 1958, played and won with Maryland a Junior Championship in 1963, a Senior League in 1966, and captained the 1966 side that were beaten in the Senior Championship final.

As Tang set up their own Junior team, Paddy transferred from Maryland in 1969 and with players like his brother Tom, Ben Duncan, Tom Flanagan and Joe Foxe got together a team of youth and experience. After losing in the semi-final in 1970, Tang beat Athlone in 1971 in the Junior Championship, one of Paddy’s proudest moments on the pitch. In 1973 Tang beat Caulry to claim their first Intermediate Title and two years later Paddy retired from the playing fields.

Off the field, Paddy will also be remembered as a gentle and caring man that enjoyed life and had a great love of Irish music.