Sad news emerging today that Kerry GAA legend Páidí Ó’Sé has passed away. The Daily Shift’s Aoife Bennett reports…
Paidi O’Se behind the bar of his pub in Ventry
Kerry football legend Páidí Ó Sé passed away unexpectedly at his Ventry home this morning aged just 57. It is believed the publican and former Garda suffered a heart attack.
He won eight All Ireland medals playing with Kerry, and a further two as manager for his native county. As well as All-Irelands, he also won 11 Munster titles, four Railway Cups, four National League titles and two County Senior Championships with An Ghaeltacht. He was also awarded with five consecutive All Stars between 1981 and 1985
As a manager, he led Westmeath to a Leinster football championship title in 2004, his first year in charge of the side. Most recently he managed Clare’s footballers. He also led his native county to two All-Ireland wins.
His three nephews, Marc, Darragh and Tomás Ó Sé, have all played for the Kerry senior team.
Kerry GAA remembered Ó’Sé in a statement made this afternoon. “It is with deep regret that Coiste Chontae Chiarraí has been informed of the unexpected death earlier this morning of one of the county’s most outstanding footballers, Páidí O’Sé.
“The Chairman of Coiste Chontae Chiarrai, Mr Patrick O’Sullivan, on behalf of all GAA Gaels, wishes to express his deep sympathy to the O’Sé family on this sad occasion.”
Managers and other members of the wider GAA community also paid their respects to Mr Ó Sé. His close friend and former team mate, RTÉ pundit Pat Spillane, described him as one of the greatest Gaelic footballers of all time.
Tributes also came from Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The two were also former teammates. “Páidí will be remembered not only as one of the greatest footballers of his time and also as a very successful manager guiding Kerry to two All Ireland victories. His talent, commitment and energy were legendary. His death, so unexpectedly and at so young an age, is a great loss.”
Páidí Ó Sé is survived by his wife Máire, and children Neasa, Siún and Padráig Óg.
