St. Patricks GAA Club

We extend the sympathy of St. Patricks GAA Club to the McGrath Family Kilbury Cloneen on the recent death of Michael Mickey McGrath who gave a lifetime of service to the GAA. Mickey first came to notice in the first year of St. Patricks existence (which was founded in his father’s pub)  when as a 13 year old he was a member of a parish primary schools football team that defeated Fethard in the semi final and Ardfinnan in the South Final. They won their way to the Co. Final where the 13 and 14 year olds from St. Patricks were defeated by an under 16 team from Loughmore. In 1949 Michael helped Coolmoyne to victory in the South Tipperary Minor Hurling Final and was a member of the Co. Tipperary minor football team defeated by Cork. In 1953 Michael won South and County Senior football medals with St. Patricks and South and County Junior football medals with Drangan. After this Michael continued to serve St. Patricks and Fionn McCumhaill (a senior combination with Grangemockler) but further success eluded him as many of his colleagues from 1953 had been lost to emigration and were playing their football in London and other foreign places. Michael helped juvenile and other teams and served as Chairman of the club in 1975-76 & 77. Almost 30 years later his son Jim served as Chairman after a long and distinguished playing career which saw him win 2 South and a Co Junior football championship, a south Intermediate football and a south Junior B hurling championship as well as spending several years wearing the blue and gold of the Tipperary Masters footballers. This was unique as the McGraths were the only family to have father and son serve as chairman of St. Patrick’s club.

Michael’s wife Betty also comes from a strong GAA family the Tobins of Grangemockler.

The mantle has now passed on to the next generation with the grandchildren in action. Anna Moffitts (nee McGrath) son Robert is playing for the Wicklow under 16 hurlers and also won a Co Wicklow championship as well as an All-Ireland under 16 B medal.

Aoibheann & Orlaith are also prominent members of St. Patricks under age Ladies Football teams. For many years McGraths public house in Cloneen was a meeting place for the GAA and 3 generations of the family have helped out for 90 years since Michaels Parents began the business. Michael and Betty continued this and more recently Anna Milo and Fr. Peter. May the soul of Michael McGrath rest in peace