Tributes have been paid to a former O’Dempsey’s payer who was laid to rest last week.
Paul Maher, Ballymorris Manor, Portarlington and late of The Hermitage, Ballybrittas, died last Sunday February 25.
Maher represented O’Dempsey’s throughout the 1980s – winning a minor championship in the blue and yellow in 1980 when they defeated Mountmellick following a replay.
He also represented Laois at minor level and played for them in Croke Park in 1981.
In paying tribute to Paul, O’Dempsey’s GAA recalled a game from 1986 where he turned around a 10 point deficit to lead them to victory.
They said: “Paul’s football ability was for all to witness at the Bank of Ireland sponsored Éire Óg Senior Football Tournament semi-final in 1986 against Athy.
“The Kildare side where leading by ten points with 15 minutes to go. However, O’Dempseys had other ideas as they dramatic whittled the lead down thanks in no small part to the contribution of Paul who scored two goals and two points in the final quarter.
“The newspaper report (from the time) brilliantly describes his goal ‘Paul Maher hit an unstoppable left-footed drive into the top corner of the Athy net to level the sides after a game of fast free-flowing football’.
“Paul’s last appearance for O’Dempseys was as a replacement for Leo Turley in the senior semi-final in 1988.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Paul was the son of the late Tommy and Elizabeth Maher and brother to Sadie and John.
He was a dearly loved dad to Adrian, Lianne and Katie and their mam Caroline, grandchilden Jack, Mason, Lyla, Tomás and Oisin.
Also sadly missed by Deborah and Derek, his partner Denise and her daughter Cleo. Deeply regretted by all his relatives neighbours and friends.
SEE ALSO – Laois jersey through the years: 1985-1990 – iconic for its simplicity
