On Saturday last we said farewell to our club president Josie Torsney. Josie a great Gael all of his life, had devoted his time to the development and progression of Gaelic games within the Dromahair community. He was one of the founders of the current St Patricks GAA club that we all enjoy today when in the late 1960’s Josie entered a number of underage teams into competition. He had many roles within the club including Chairperson, Secretary and worked tirelessly on the club’s behalf to promote Gaelic games within the community

It’s well recognised that the first coach that a child comes in to contact with will be probably the most influential and that was certainly the case for those of lucky enough to be coached by Josie. He always treated everyone with respect and at the end of every game or practice everyone would come away feeling good about themselves. On the evening of a game or practice, Josie and his late wife Eileen would collect all of us at our doors and bring us by car to the village.When you look at the area that was covered in an evening, Killargue, Newtownmanor, Killavoggy, Killenummery, Drumlease and the village of Dromahair, many trips had to be made before and after the game.

 He was well ahead of his time as a coach, his methods would fit seamlessly into any modern day game, Josie’s ability to break down each skill and explain to each of us how to perfect and practice our skills was rewarded in 1976 when St Patrick’s GAA club won its first underage title, the rural under-12 championship and indeed this team went on to win titles at U14 U16 and Minor.

In 1975 the club entered a junior team into competition, coached by Josie and in 1976 this team delivered the Junior championship to Dromahair, a remarkable achievement to bring the club to senior football within one year of establishing an adult team.

Josie had a great passion for Scor and Scor na nÓg and again he worked tirelessly over a range of different acts and groups to bring many county titles and a number of provincial to the club.

When you take into consideration the many other community activities that Josie was involved with, The Agricultural & Gymkhana Show, The Tidy Towns Committee, The Town Development Committee, The Park Development Committee, he was a Peace Commissioner and a Trustee of the Dromahair Park, you have to agree that Josie Torsney was a remarkable man. Josie’s legacy is immense, his shoes will never be filled.

St Patricks GAA club thank you sincerely, Josie, you made much difference to the lives of so many of us, past and present. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Torsney family and thank them for their support of Josie in all of his work within our community.

D’imigh laoch mór an bhaile, Josie Torsney uainn Déardaoin seo caite. Duine ab ea Josie a raibh a chroí sa chultúr Gaelach agus sa Chumann Lúthchleas Gael. Thuig sé go doimhin na luacha a bhain leis an eagraíocht sin. Bhí spiorad na nGael go láidir ina chuisle agus ní raibh aon rud nach ndéanfadh sé féin agus a bhean chéile Eileen (ata imithe ar slí na fírinne) le seans a thabhairt do leaids óga an bhaile peil a imirt. ‘Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. 

Cumann CLG Naomh Pádraig Droim Dhá Thiar