| Supporters |
Paddy Sweeney
A founding father of the Donegal Celtic Supporters Association, Paddy Sweeney was one of the most influential, generous and hard-working fans’ representatives in the history of the club.
The Dungloe man followed his beloved Hoops all round the globe and Paddy preached the Celtic gospel to anyone who would listen. His immense commitment to the Celtic cause ensured that the eternal connection between the Bhoys and his native Donegal would continue to flourish.
With Paddy as secretary the Donegal Association would frequently bring more than 300 supporters to games at Parkhead. Trips would leave Donegal more than 12 hours before kick-off but with Paddy at the helm his enthusiasm for the Celts was truly infectious.
Trips to away games and European ties were also well attended and it was only right that Paddy joined other supporter representatives on the field to receive FIFA’s Fair Play Award in recognition of the wonderful behhaviour of the Celtic support at the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville.
At a time when Sky TV ensured the mass appeal of the English Premiership was creeping into the Celtic heartland of Donegal no one did more to keep the green flag flying high than Paddy.
His newsagent business in Dungloe would sell the Celtic View and supporters fanzines. He helped the club facilitate training camps for local youths and even his Dungloe home was painted Green and White and emblazoned with the name ‘Parkhead’.
He regularly arranged dances and functions which gave supporters the chance to meet hundreds of players past and present, but perhaps most importantly he helped create a new generation of Celtic fans by treating hundreds of Donegal school children to trips to Parkhead for their first fix of the Bhoys.
In September 2010 Paddy died suddenly at home. A loving father and husband, he was aged just 45. In such a tragically short life he had done so much for the Celtic cause.
His funeral at St. Crone’s Church, Dungloe was attended by Celtic fans from throughout Ireland and the UK. Celtic board member John Keane and Lisbon Lion John Clark and were also in attendance along with Celtic and Ireland legend Packie Bonner.
The Celtic family never had a truer or more faithful son than Paddy Sweeney. He will never be forgotten.
Paddy Sweeney laid to rest in Maghery
Green was the colour and Glasgow Celtic was the theme as Paddy Sweeney, described as a Celtic supporters’ legend, was laid to rest in Dungloe yesterday.
Mr. Sweeney, 45, died suddenly at his home on the Chapel Road in Dungloe on Sunday morning. He was buried yesterday in Maghery Graveyard following requiem mass in St. Crone’s Church in the town.
Celtic Supporters’ Club members came from all corners of the island and sat side by side with Celtic fans from all over Donegal to pay their respects to the founding father of the Donegal Celtic Supporters’ club over two decades ago.
Celtic board member, John Keane, along with Lisbon Lion John Clarke and a number of administration staff from the club’s head office also attended the funeral. Also in attendance was former Celtic legend and Ireland international goalkeeper, Packie Bonner, who was a personal friend of the deceased.
In a moving homily Fr. Nigel Gallagher, CC Dungloe spoke of the highs and lows and the trials and tribulations of the deceased’s life. He also spoke about his love and passion for Glasgow Celtic.
Moving tributes were paid by his son Jamie, and friend Enda Bonnar.
All three said they had no doubt that such was his passion for Celtic that he had already set up a supporters’ club in heaven.
The funeral mass was concelebrated by Fr. Sean Meehan, PP, Dungloe, Fr. Pat Ward, PP, Kincasslagh and Acres and Fr. Michael Sweeney, former PP of Gweedore and life long Celtic supporter.
Celtic officials and supporters’ club officials, along with pupils from the Rosses Community School where his son Paul is a student, formed a guard of honour along the short route from the family home to St. Crone’s Church.
The late Paddy Sweeney is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Paula, his sons Jamie and Paul, father Seamus, sister Noreen, brother Eddie, aunts and uncle and a large extended family. He is predeceased by his mother Theresa.