Paddys life was the Clans football club

Kevin Mulligan

“Once a Clan - Always a Clan” the motto of Dundalk’s famous club could have been conceived with Paddy Dixon in mind, for the man who gave his life to the club as an accomplished player, an astute administrator and team manager, a dedicated worker and a loyal fan, died suddenly on Saturday last, aged 76.

Son of John Dixon a founding member of Clan-na-Gael in Dundalk in 1916, Paddy, was an Honorary President of the Club, and only stepped down after 15 years as Treasurer in 2004. He had undergone a long-awaited hip replacement operation in Navan hospital last week but suddenly took ill with an unrelated illness and died a few days later.

His death leaves a void in the Castletown club that may never be filled for former Chairman, Peter Brannigan and author of the history of the club commented this week that the club was Paddy’s life.

“He must be rated as one of the best, if not the best clubman in the county, for having played for 22 years at a very consistent level for the Clans he went on not just to train teams, but to play a vital role in the administration and success of this club”.

“Paddy was unique, for almost every day of his life he could be found in or around the club, and his dedication was unbelievable” said Peter.

In addition to his success at a playing level with the Clans, winning a Louth SFC medal on the team that lifted the Joe Ward Cup in 1959, Paddy played with the Louth seniors immediately prior to their All-Ireland success in 1957, and in 1961 was a member of the Louth All-Ireland Junior winning team.

Having been a pupil of the DLS where there was a hurling tradition imparted by Brothers from the hurling counties of the south, Paddy became a talented hurler winning junior Louth titles on four occasions.

Paddy’s playing career took off in 1947 when he scored the match winning goal as Clans beat Drogheda side Parnells in the Macardle Cup after a replay in the Athletic Grounds. A second Macardle Cup medal followed in 1953 when Geraldines were defeated and in between came Paddy’s first recognition by his county when he was selected for the juniors in 1951.

Paddy, then playing most of his football at midfield or attack, was called into the Louth senior panel in 1952 and made his debut in October of that year at corner forward against Dublin in the NFL in the Athletic Grounds when Jack Regan and Dermot O’Brien made up the full-forward line.

Now playing at his peak, Paddy was not only a member of Louth senior panel, but in 1954 was also on the Louth junior team beaten by Dublin in the Leinster Junior Final after a replay, but club honours continued to mount for he captained the team that lifted the JFC and the Macardle Cup in the same year.

He was already becoming immersed in the administration side of the club taking over as Assistant Secretary in 1959, the year in which he achieved his proudest honour at club level when he was centre-half on the side the brought the Louth SFC title back to the club for the first time in 35 years, their victory coming against St. Mary’s after a replay.

Paddy was a Clans selector in 1961 when he played a key role in the Louth Junior team that lifted the All-Ireland Junior title beating Galway in the home final and Warwickshire in the away final.

Paddy’s playing career ended 22 years after it started in the junior ranks in the 1969 campaign when he played full-back in the side beaten by Young Irelands in the quarter-final, scoring a point from a ‘50’.

By then he was an established senior selector, and in 1970 was elected Chairman for the first time, a role he occupied on seven occasions. Twice elected clubman of the year (1977 and 1985) Paddy was Vice-Chairman on four occasions, and Treasurer for 15 successive years (1989 to 2004).

He managed the senior side in 1979, taking over from Leslie Toal, and guided the team to the ACC Cup, bridging a 20 year gap in the process, and he retained the post the following year.

The development of minor football within the club and county always motivated Paddy and he was a minor selector with Clans for more than 20 years and chairman of the Minor Board from 1988 to ‘99.

Surprisingly, between his playing and involvement with the administration of one of the county’s most successful clubs, Paddy also found time for other interests, mostly St. Nicholas Church where his fine tenor voice made him a very valued member of the choir.

His working life was spent in Hallidays, later Clarks.

Having inherited his love of football and the Clans from his father, Paddy was fortunate that it was something he shared with his brothers, Willie, former Urban Council chairman and Tommy (now deceased) while another brother, Peter, who has given much of his life to the scout movement, survives him as does his sister, Lily Crawley. Two other sisters, Maura English and Alice Hickey are both deceased.

Paddy resided in the family home 104, St. Nicholas Avenue and his death has had a major impact on the entire lower end where he was a well loved and a considerate neighbour and friend.

Burial took place yesterday (Tuesday) in St. Patrick’s Cemetery after Mass in St. Nicholas Church.