Joe McGrath R.I.P.

When the news of the death of Joe McGrath, Ballingaddy, Kilmallock broke on Wednesday last we in the GAA family were deeply saddened and shocked.

Joe McGrath was a lifetime supporter of Kilmallock GAA club and always had the club’s best interest at heart.

A gifted pen man Joe served for many years as PRO for the club and even when he was not involved with the club he was often called on to write features for match programmes or events.

Born in Charleville – Joe remained a proud follower of Charleville teams and indeed Cork teams. He had great memories of Charleville teams from the 1950s and ’60s and one of his favourite players was the late Mixie O’Toole.

As a young man Joe McGrath came to work in the Post Office in Kilmallock and he quickly fell in love with the town. He made many, many friends in the town and it was in the at Kilmallock P.O. that he also met his wife Patricia who also worked there.

The couple built their home in Ballingaddy and Joe became a great supporter of Kilmallock GAA. He often said that it was only when he came to Kilmallock that he realised what passion for hurling really meant. He loved to go to the Fair Green when teams were getting ready for big matches; he loved the build up and always erected the green and white flags for special occasions – although he never forgot his roots and the red and white made many an appearance too.

Joe McGrath was a special person – a true gentleman. A great conversationalist, a great penman and one of the greatest Kilmallock supporters.

All at Kilmallock GAA would like to extend our sympathies to Joe’s wife Patricia, his sons Michael and Joseph and his daughter Mary – to his daughter-in-law, his grandchildren, his brother Michael, his sisters Mary and Margaret to all his relations and his many, many friends.