Pado Flynn has stepped away as manager of Palatine Gaelic Football Club.
The team found themselves in a relegation final last weekend, where they got the better of John Hickey’s Fenagh men by 0-15 to 0-10.
Flynn, who leaves after clinching the county title with the team in 2022, released the following statement:
“I was appointed in 2022 in the midst of covid in January of that year. The priority was to build on the young talent coming through in the club whilst also ensuring the junior teams blossomed. Numbers were poor to begin with but players bought in and put shoulders to the wheel whilst the club executive was fulsome in their support. I firmly believed a county final was achievable and thus was delivered in year one whilst in fact we all set out to achieve it within the two year term.
It was always a dream of mine to win a senior county club title in red and green. My club colours St Martins came from Palatine achieving it on Oct 22 was a lifetime ambition. More importantly, the club won its first Leinster Championship game that year. A club of Palatine’s size and talent should aim for more than that.
In 2023 we set out to do that but ultimately the only luck we encountered throughout the year was bad luck. What was more important for the club was nobody panicked and the players stayed training and ultimately the senior status was persevered for 2024.
I would like to thank Palatine GFC for the last two years as manager of your club. As late as Monday night I was torn as to whether to remain as Manager for 2024 or to step aside whilst watching the future talent against Eire Og in a tight Minor Game. I’d gone over with the full intention of stepping aside but realised how much I enjoyed going to Bennekerry and the privilege it is to hold such a position.
However, upon reflection, I feel as though I have brought this team as far as I can and feel a fresh direction is needed in order for them to go on and achieve the undoubted potential they have within the setup.
I would like to thank Paud Dwyer, Billy Murphy, Killian Roche, Mick Bolger, Jon Nolan, Callum Nolan, Lee Dowling & Maura Murphy for all their help and expertise on the management team of the last two years. In particular, I would like to thank Cormac ‘Snack Box’ Halloway & Noel Byrne who started the journey when very few were willing to step forward and come on board.
PJ Hickson and Nicky Parle have been instrumental in all your help and I would like to thank you sincerely for all the help personally on behalf of the players and management. Members of your executive Niall Hickson, Ray Dempsey, Brian O’Neill, David Woods, Conor Egan plus many others.
Thank you to Kitty, Eunice, Catherine, Brian and all the gang who always cooked food for us after training and games.
The supporters and club members of Palatine for the welcome you have given me over the last two years I will never forget or be able to properly show what it means.
To the players – thank you for everything in the last two years, it didn’t end where we wanted but that is life. We have created memories for life. I really look forward to watching you from the stands in red and green and in the colours of Carlow as you look to regain the Nationalist Trophy in 2024.
It has being an honour and a privilege“
