Paddy Cole: one of the best sportsmen ever in Westmeath

The death of Paddy Cole on Tuesday January 6 marks the passing of one of the greatest sportsmen ever to wear the colours of Mullingar Shamrocks and Westmeath. A player of rare versatility and ability across several positions and codes, Paddy’s career was defined as much by sportsmanship as by success and he was never booked or sent off in a long and distinguished playing life.

A former colleague summed him up perfectly: “A true gentleman – he was fairness personified.” Paddy never retaliated, even when badly fouled, and was trusted implicitly by Mick Reynolds for his reliability, leadership and composure. Modesty defined him, and his greatness was lightly worn.

A multi-talented teenage star, Paddy played Gaelic football with Mullingar Shamrocks, hurling with Pearses, soccer with Brosna Rovers and Mullingar Town, and also boxed at junior level. In February 1963, he won the Longford Westmeath Junior Middleweight title in Castlepollard. Boxing ran in the family and his father Chris held the Irish professional heavyweight title in the 1940s.

Paddy captained Brosna Rovers, regularly featuring in the Westmeath Examiner, but the pull of the GAA proved decisive. He won minor county medals with Mullingar Shamrocks in 1960 and 1961, and made his adult debut in 1960. An infamous objection following the junior semi-final against The Downs, based on alleged participation in foreign games, was dismissed by the county board, clearing Paddy to continue his Shamrocks career.

His club achievements were exceptional. In 1962, Paddy helped Pearses to Feis Cup and county senior hurling titles, the latter Mullingar’s first since 1945. Weeks later, he scored a goal as Shamrocks won the Junior Football Championship, earning senior status. On September 20, 1964, Shamrocks claimed their first Senior Football Championship, defeating St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge, and completed the league-championship double in 1965. Paddy captained the side that year and won a second senior championship medal in 1966 following victory over Maryland.

Paddy remained central to Shamrocks fortunes for two decades. As player-manager in 1979, he led the club to a senior final appearance and was named Clubman of the Year. His senior championship career ended on August 26, 1984, after 22 years, and he finally hung up his boots at junior level in 1986.

He also played senior hurling finals with Pearses, represented Mullingar rugby at first-team level in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and played soccer with Mullingar Town. Paddy was one of the few to represent Mullingar in senior football, hurling, rugby and soccer.

Paddy’s inter-county career was equally significant. He made his Westmeath debut in hurling on October 14, 1962 against Dublin, and switched to football a week later against Leitrim on October 21, 1962. Between 1962 and 1974, he played 47 National League games and 12 Leinster Championship matches. He lined out mainly at right corner-back but was equally effective in attack.

He was a key figure during Westmeath’s mini golden era between 1967 and 1969. On June 11, 1967, his defensive heroics helped eliminate Dublin from the Leinster Championship in Tullamore. Later that year, he scored a decisive late goal against Dublin in the national league, and made vital contributions against Armagh and Monaghan. On March 16, 1969, Westmeath defeated reigning All-Ireland champions Down in Carrickmacross, and reached the NFL semi-final against Kerry in Croke Park on May 11, 1969, where Paddy scored a crucial second-half goal in a narrow defeat.

He later represented Leinster in the 1968 Railway Cup final and was named honorary president of Mullingar Shamrocks at the club AGM in December 2017.

Paddy Cole’s contribution to sport in Mullingar and Westmeath is unmatched. He was a supreme sportsman, a gentleman, and a standard-bearer whose legacy will endure.

Patrick was predeceased by his first wife Attracta and his parents Chris (Kit) and Maureen. Paddy will be sadly missed by his wife Alva, his daughter Natalie, his grand-daughters Cliodhna and Saoirse, brothers and sisters Brendan, Rosaleen, Nicky, Chris, Danny and Mary, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends.