📌Patsy Mc Aleer RIP 
The club has been once more robbed of a loyal servant with news of the passing of Patsy Mc Aleer in the late hours of yesterday, Sunday August 7th. A deep sense of shock spread amongst the community given the fact that Patsy attended our Senior league game on Friday night past.
Patsy was a lifelong supporter of his beloved Carrickmore and his knowledge of the footballing history in the club was matched by few. A committee member at various time from the 70’s through to the 90’s he proved himself to be a dedicated volunteer to the GAA in the parish. Never one to seek the limelight he would work tirelessly in the background to further the cause of An Charraig Mhór GFC. Giving selflessly of his time he would be seen at Pairc Colmcille working on a number of the iconic projects notably the first stand in 1980/81 and the ‘New Stand’ 1981/82. When the club lotto was introduced he seized on another opportunity to assist selling the lotto in his end of the parish religiously until he recently fell into ill health. That was Patsy, steady, loyal and no fuss.
He would become most animated when the discussion would turn to the various games and players throughout the years, both past and present. He thought deeply about the game and enjoyed the cut and thrust of the debate and was able to ignite the situation with a well-placed controversial comment. The arguments will go on at the ‘2 o’clock club’ but they will not be the same without Patsy.
He was happiest as a supporter and had the joy of witnessing the O’Neill and Jarlath Kerr Cup’s returned to Quinn’s Corner on many occasions. Most special, no doubt, would have been those times were he witnessed his sons and daughters play their part in club championship success from the 90’s right up to the present. He followed our club teams of all ages to all venues across the country in good days and bad.
The home he and his wife Margaret created was one were our club was central. Therefore, it is no surprise that they reared a family committed to the growth and development of St Colmcilles GFC. Patsy was afforded the time he invested in the club due the constant support of Margaret, with both of them fitting the challenges of family life into a hectic schedule of training, games and other club activities. We can only imagine the constant stream of boots, togs, socks and jerseys presented to Margaret as the children moved up through the ranks at various stages. On top of that was the encouragement she and Patsy gave guiding them through the rough and tumble of footballing life.
We pass on our deepest condolences to Margaret on the passing of her devoted husband Patsy. In our thoughts we also keep their eight children and their respective husbands and wives.
Conor (past Senior Captain, Senior Championship Winner, past Vice Chairman, Ladies Senior Championship Winning manager, current Senior Ladies manager and current club officer, Mairead, Patrick( past player and past underage coach) Ciaran (past Senior captain, Senior Championship winner, Boys Minor Championship winning manager, current boys U11.5 manager), Kathy (Senior Ladies Championship winner, current senior player, current committee member, Ladies County Board Rep, past underage coach), Emma , Colm (past underage player), Shauneen ( Senior Ladies Championship winner).
The passage of time allowed Patsy to see his grandchildren represent the club and he has left a legacy that many would be proud to have. His presence will be sorely missed by all within our club but most especially by his family and large circle of friends. We pray for them all in the weeks and months ahead and offer our support through this difficult time. We hope that the ‘Spirit of Carmen’ will once more make itself evident and in some way help them come to terms with their loss.
Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam
Gavan Mc Elroy
On behalf of
An Charraig Mhór GFC
Picture 1: Patsy at the 1978 Senior Championship homecoming Quinns Corner
Picture 2-6: Patsy at the building in of the “New Stand 81/82 “…Son Conor(Curly) in the foreground.
Picture 3: Patsy and Margaret enjoy the 1986 Dinner Dance with friends.
Picture 4: Patsy, Margaret and the McAleer family celebrate following the Senior Ladies Championship win in 2021.
Picture 5: Patsy at a home match at Pairc Colmcille on 27th May 2022.
