Paddy Prendergast (Gaelic footballer)

Patrick Prendergast (1926 – 26 September 2021) was a Gaelic footballer. At club level, he played with Dungloe and Ballintubber and was a member of the Donegal and Mayo senior football teams. He usually lined out as a full-back.

Paddy Prendergast
Personal information
Irish name Pádraig de Priondragás
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full-back
Born 1926[1]
Ballintubber,
County Mayo, Ireland
Died 26 September 2021 (aged 95)
Tralee,
County Kerry, Ireland
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Occupation Garda Síochána
Club(s)
Years Club
Dungloe
Ballintubber
Club titles
Mayo titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1946–1947
1947–1956
Donegal
Mayo

27 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Connacht titles 5
All-Irelands 2
NFL 2

Playing career

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Although born in Ballintubber, County Mayo, Prendergast first came to prominence with the Dungloe club in County Donegal. His performances at club level earned a call-up to the Donegal senior football team.[2] After a number of years with Donegal, Prendergast declared for the Mayo senior football team in 1948. His debut season with his native county saw him win the first of four consecutive Connacht Championship titles, however, the season ended with an All-Ireland final defeat by Cavan. Prendergast lined out at full-back when Mayo won back-to-back All-Ireland Championship titles after defeats of Louth in 1950 and Meath in 1951.[3] He continued to line out with the team until 1956, by which time he had claimed a fifth Connacht Championship title as well as two National League titles. Prendergast was also a Railway Cup-winner with Connacht.

Personal life and death

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Paddy spent his entire working career as a member of the Garda Síochána. After being initially stationed in Dungloe, County Donegal, he was later posted back to Mayo and eventually settled in Tralee, County Kerry.

Prendergast died on 26 September 2021, at the age of 95.[4] He was the last surviving member of Mayo's 1951 All-Ireland final-winning starting fifteen.[5]

Honours

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Mayo
Connacht

References

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  1. ^ "The life of Paddy Prendergast". The Nenagh Guardian. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. ^ Rice, Seán (22 November 2016). "Paddy Prendergast: a Mayo legend". The Mayo News. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  3. ^ Verney, Michael (19 December 2020). "'Do you think that prayer would make a difference?' - Mayo's All-Ireland survivor (94) hoping for one more win". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Mayo All-Ireland winning hero from 1951 team passes away". The 42. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  5. ^ Roche, Frank (26 September 2021). "Paddy Prendergast, the last surviving member of Mayo's 1951 All-Ireland winning XV, passes away aged 95". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 September 2021.