Shannon Gaels remembers a ‘man of great vision and generosity’
The late Pádraig Glancy was a regular match-goer across all grades when Shannon Gaels were in action. Picture: Shannon Gaels GAA Club
Shannon Gaels GAA Club has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Pádraig Glancy, describing him as a “friend and supporter”, and a “man of great vision and generosity”.
The North Roscommon club said that Mr Glancy’s sudden passing earlier this week had left a deep sense of shock and sadness throughout the club area and community.
“Pádraig was a proud Cortober man, with an unwavering determination to see it prosper. A man of great vision and generosity, he believed in progress and was always prepared to make things happen.
“As proprietor of SuperValu, Pádraig was at the heart of everyday life in Cortober and Carrick-on-Shannon. His supermarket was as much a meeting place as a business, and many will fondly remember him holding court at his familiar spot near the newspapers, discussing local affairs and, of course, the fortunes of Shannon Gaels and Roscommon football.
“Pádraig was a great supporter of Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns and anything that brought investment and opportunity to the area. His recent development of the Post Office adjacent to his supermarket was another example of that commitment.
“Poignantly, just a day before his passing, he travelled to Dublin to receive an award recognising the new establishment, a fitting acknowledgement of his continued belief in his community,” acknowledged the club in a statement.
The club went on to say that Mr Glancy’s contribution to its affairs was “particularly special”, noting the Glancy family’s support for the development of Páirc na nGael on the Boyle road 20 years ago.
“The prospect of having a Shannon Gaels pitch in the heart of Cortober was something that appealed enormously to two proud local men, the Glancy brothers, Jim and Pádraig.
“They wasted little time in getting behind the project. From the construction of the road around the pitch to the development of the new clubhouse, both men played an enormous part in turning ambition into reality. Pádraig, who was serving as Club Secretary from 2007 to 2012, was central to that work.
“It is worth remembering the circumstances of those years. Ireland had gone from boom to bust. Money was scarce, confidence was low and getting community projects completed was not simple.
“It was at times like these that clubs depended on people who believed in what they were trying to achieve and were willing to back that belief with practical and financial support. Pádraig Glancy was one of those people.”
The club also recalled Mr Glancy’s generosity and loyalty over the years.
“When Shannon Gaels needed help, Pádraig was there. He never reneged on a commitment, and his support was not confined to one project or one period in the club's history. Time and again, when the club sought to improve its facilities or provide better opportunities for its players, Pádraig could be relied upon.
"When the Patrician Hall was built in the 1960s, it was the Glancy family who donated the land on which it stands. The family's commitment to the social, sporting and community life of the area stretches back generations, and Pádraig carried that tradition forward with enormous pride.
“Over the years, countless Shannon Gaels teams benefited from his generosity through sponsorship, jerseys, and support for club development. Much of that assistance was given without fuss or fanfare. Pádraig understood the importance of a local GAA club, not simply in terms of football, but in the opportunities, friendships and sense of belonging it provided.
“He was very proud when his own son Éamonn joined the ranks on the playing fields. He was a genuine club supporter. He rarely missed a Shannon Gaels game and followed the progress of our teams with great interest.
“He knew the players, took pride in their achievements and was always keen to hear how the younger generation was progressing. His interest was personal, sincere and rooted in the community it represented.
“There are people whose contribution to a club can be measured in years of service, and others whose contribution can be seen in the facilities and opportunities they helped provide. Pádraig's contribution can be measured in both.
“Pádraig was a businessman, a family man, a club officer, a supporter and a great community man. Above all, he made a difference, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit generations to come.
“On behalf of everyone involved in Shannon Gaels, we extend our deepest sympathy to Pádraig's wife Roseleen, his children Éamonn and Catherine, his brothers Jim, Anthony, Éamonn and Thomas, the extended Glancy family, his many friends and all those who worked alongside him over the years.
“We stand with you in grief, but we also hope you can take solace in knowing just how much Pádraig meant to this community and how greatly his generosity, friendship and contribution were valued,” the Shannon Gaels statement concluded.
