Paddy McGleenon remembered as a ‘great Armagh Gael’ after decades supporting young players

Tributes have been paid to Paddy McGleenon, a respected Armagh GAA administrator and mentor who spent more than three decades helping to inspire and support young Gaelic footballers.

Mr McGleenon, originally from Tassagh and later of Lurgan, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 11 August after a period of illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.

His death has been met with sadness across his family circle, among friends and throughout the GAA community. Those who knew him have remembered a man whose influence reached well beyond his formal role, through the players he encouraged and the youth structures he helped organise.

More than 30 years serving North Armagh GAA

Mr McGleenon served for more than 30 years as secretary of the former North Armagh GAA Board. The board was later merged with the mid and south Armagh boards to create an all-county structure.

Close friend Gerry Cunningham, chair of County Armagh’s Clonmore Robert Emmetts GFC and a member of the group More Power to Your Elbow, paid an emotional tribute after learning of Mr McGleenon’s death from fellow Armagh Gael and friend Tommy Rodgers.

Mr Cunningham described him as a man with a quiet presence: someone who spoke when necessary, contributed when needed, judged no one and tried to make decisions for the benefit of everyone.

He recalled first meeting Mr McGleenon when he was secretary of the North Armagh board. His friend’s careful approach to administration made a lasting impression, including the way he recorded meetings, offered advice on sensitive matters and applied his detailed understanding of Gaelic games.

Mr Cunningham said Mr McGleenon had a particular ability to offer sensible answers during difficult debates, even at a time when local and parish loyalties could be a major factor. He remembered him as someone who did not show favouritism and who offered reasonable solutions to apparently impossible problems.

Organising the under-14 development squad

Mr McGleenon later asked Mr Cunningham whether he would take on the coaching role with the North Armagh under-14 development squad. Mr Cunningham had already been involved in coaching at school and club level, but said he eventually agreed because of Mr McGleenon’s persuasive personality.

The two men worked together on the programme for 23 years, with Mr McGleenon leading it for 12 of those years. Their work involved much more than what happened on the pitch.

On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, Mr McGleenon arrived before the other coaches with a clipboard, footballs, cones and the equipment needed for training. He secured pitches from clubs that were already dealing with crowded schedules, told clubs and players where they needed to go, and organised both inter-county and in-county matches.

Mr Cunningham recalled Mr McGleenon telling him: “you take care of the football and I’ll look after the rest.” The tribute described him as a man who completed that work quietly and without seeking attention.

One especially proud achievement came when the development squad won the Burren tournament, defeating the whole of County Louth in the final. For Mr McGleenon, the success reflected the value of the young players and the programme he had helped build.

A lasting connection with Armagh players

Mr Cunningham said the friendship continued after Mr McGleenon’s health meant he could no longer give the same level of service. The football pitch and training sessions were replaced by meetings in a coffee shop, where he, Mr McGleenon and Mr Rodgers continued to discuss the affairs of the GAA.

One of their happiest meetings followed Armagh’s All-Ireland victory in 2024. The friends celebrated as though they had taken part themselves, while also taking pride in counting the young players who had passed through their coaching and development work.

Mr Cunningham said Mr McGleenon’s commitment to the Orchard County and Gaelic games was unmistakable. He recalled joking with his friend about having orange blood.

“He was an Armagh man through and through. I used to laugh and say, ‘Pat, you bleed orange'. And so he did, he definitely did”

Mr McGleenon also had a career as an air traffic controller. In his tribute, Mr Cunningham drew a comparison between the work of guiding people through the skies and the final journey he described after his friend’s death.

Mr Cunningham said Mr McGleenon had left a legacy through the young players he helped develop. The source also noted that Armagh had lost three great Gaels in a short period, naming Margaret McConvilles, Malachy Heaneys and Mr McGleenon among those whose contribution to the county would be remembered.

Tributes from clubs and family

Pearse Og GFC in Armagh described Mr McGleenon as an esteemed Gael and offered its condolences to the McGleenon family.

Another tribute described him as a man of great vision for the development of Gaelic games and youth development in North Armagh. A family member summed up his character in equally warm terms.

“He was the nicest, kindest man with a heart of gold and he will be missed terribly.”

Mr McGleenon was the beloved husband of Nuala, and the cherished father of Cormac, Claire, Conor and Brenda. He was also a much-loved grandfather of Nadine, Jamie, Ciara and Sé.

He was the loving son of the late Patrick and Elizabeth McGleenon of Armagh, as well as a dear brother, brother-in-law and caring uncle to his nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements

The family home and wake were strictly private and reserved for family members.

His funeral was due to leave the family home at Blair Drive in Lurgan at 1.15pm on Friday. Requiem Mass was scheduled for 2pm at St Peter’s Church in Lurgan, followed by burial at St Colman’s Cemetery.

Mr Cunningham offered his sympathy to Nuala and the wider McGleenon family, while friends and GAA organisations remembered Paddy as a quiet organiser, trusted adviser, mentor and true gentleman whose contribution will continue through the generations of players he helped.