Shamrocks News

7 December 2006 - SHAMROCKS Gaelic Football Club is in mourning after star player Paul Daly was killed in Ireland recently.

Daly, 27, of Westmeath, Ireland, died after being struck by a car early on a Saturday morning.

Paul is pictured here (on left) with friend Stephen Melody showing the spoils of the 2005 Queensland League title win.

The popular footballer, who also played with his hometown Mullingar Shamrocks in Westmeath, led the Brisbane Shamrocks in scoring in 2005 when the side won the Queensland League, and made the finals of both the Brisbane Shield and Queensland Championship.

Daly broke the club�s oldest individual scoring record when he became the first player to kick over 50 points in a season.

He was named second in both the Best & Fairest and Most Consistent Player awards for Brisbane Shamrocks last year. Paul was also runner-up in the Queensland Best & Fairest award.

�He and his family were very proud of his achievements in 2005,� Daly�s cousin Eddie Battle said from Ireland.

�He had great memories of the players, club and supporters, and for that I give you thanks.�

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From the Mullingar Shamrocks, Westmeath:

Paul Daly R.I.P.
The club was rocked to its core on Sunday morning last when members heard of the untimely death of popular club man Paul �Podger� Daly in such tragic circumstances. Podger was ever the obliging gentleman when called upon to play any game for the club and made himself available at all times. Whether playing football with Shamrocks or hurling with Oliver Plunketts he gave 100% and one could not fault him on his commitment or skill. To have such a young vibrant and modest gentlemen taken away is a reminder to us all that life is too short and too precious to waste. To his mother, his brother Richie, sisters Ann and Sheena, his many friends, and all who were lucky to know him, the club extends its deepest sympathies. May the sod rest lightly on his gentle soul.

Open Letter from friend and 2005 Shamrocks team mate Stephen Melody, 30th November:

Well everyone,

I am writing to ye with some bad news, our friend Paul Daly or Pdiddy as most of ye know him by was knocked down and killed tragically last Sunday morning on the way home from a night out. As we all know Paul loved 2 socialise. I just cant believe it. The funeral was on Tues and I am sorry that I am only telling u now but I couldn�t come 2 terms with the news and send an email 2 ye all. Paul is going 2 b missed by everyone that knew him as I think that everyone that had the pleasure of meeting him always enjoyed his company.

To everyone in Oz or met Paul in Oz he made a enjoyable trip 4 everyone and certainly made an impression on all of our lives. I don�t think that ye will ever forget Pdiddy� could u Frankie or Emmet get in contact with Leigh in the Broadway or Ritchie as I don�t have an address 4 them. Tanx.

If any of you want 2 send a card 2 the family the address is, Lilly Daly, 49 Grange Village, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath, Ireland. If any of ye want 2 contact me that is no problem either my number is +353857595486 or u can email me....

Our friend, Paul u will b missed but never forgotten...

Friends forever.. Stephen

Open letter from cousin Eddie Battle, 26th November:

Hi,

I�m the cousin of Paul Daly. I came on your site to get some of the details of his time spent in Australia, ie his top scores and any pictures you might of had of his time playing for the Shamrocks Club. He and his family were very proud of his achievments in 2005. He had great memories of the players, club and supporters, and for that I give you thanks. I thought I should let you know about his untimely death as you knew him quite well too. He died at approx 5:30am of the 26th of November 2006. Thanks and take care.

P.S. If you would like to pass on any message to his immediate family, you can mail me etc.

Eddie Battle

Extract from the Irish Independent newspaper, 27th November:

Young GAA star the latest victim as five killed on roads

A PROMISING young GAA player who was struck by a car as he was walking home from a night out is the latest person to die in yet another weekend of carnage on the roads that has claimed five lives.

Paul Daly (27), of Mullingar, died after he was struck on the N4 bypass on the Dublin Road outside Mullingar at around 6am yesterday. The well-known Co Westmeath hurler for Oliver Plunketts, who also played Gaelic football for the Mullingar Shamrocks, was the GAA's second local player to die in a road accident this year.

Westmeath GAA chairman Seamus Whelan said Paul's death was a tragic blow. "Everyone is very shocked by Paul's death. He was a pupil of mine in St Mary's CBS, Mullingar, and he was an exemplary gentleman. He was very committed to hurling and football. His death is a huge loss to his family and to his GAA colleagues. It has been a year of tremendous tragedy in Westmeath GAA, with the deaths of those young, fine players - Niall Keegan and Darren Price, and now Paul." Gardai are urging witnesses to the accident to contact them.

Here is your opportunity to leave your personal tribute to Paul:
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