Like many in the GAA world, we were shocked to hear of the recent road accident involving Paudie Palmer. This morning, we are desperately saddened to learn of Paudie’s passing.

Originally a native of Templenoe, County Kerry, Paudie moved to the Rebel County where he became a teacher in St. Brogans College in Bandon. This move led to Paudie making Innishannon his adopted home & began a long involvement with Valley Rovers.

Where many of us got to know Paudie was his truly unique commentating style on C103 FM. It was here he reported on the biggest matches around Cork or those involving Cork’s Intercounty teams. He had this ability to keep us on the edge of our seats no matter how many miles away we were from the unfolding action.

It would be fair to say Paudie loved a bit of fun & mischief to bring into his broadcasts. No matter what the time of day, PRO’s all over the county could get a call before a big local derby looking for the extra angle that he could relay to many listeners. “There was a man telling me during the week about….” would be a famous line as he gave the neutral the backstory. The múinteoir would have his homework done! Nor did he mind the question of how could a Kerryman root for Cork when playing their fierce rivals. All part and parcel of the Paudie story.

Many column inches will be given to Paudie in the coming days. Right now, words are hard to find to sum up the feeling within the county. Ironically it would probably be the man himself who’d find the right thing to say.

For now we’d like to extend our sincerest sympathies to Colette, Claire, Emily & all of Paudie’s extended family & friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.