Legendary GAA Figure Honoured By Native County In The United States

Aug. 14, 2007 - PRLog -- Chicago, USA, 14th August 07 - A true GAA legend who played with fifty-two clubs in eleven cities and in four countries was honoured by has native County in Chicago last night.  

P.J. O'Dea who played both football and hurling with Clare, Munster and London was presented with an engraved plaque by the Clare Tourist Council at Chicago’s historic Gaelic Park.  

The Chairman of Clare GAA described the Kilrush man as a "stalwart of the GAA in America."

Michael McDonagh added,  "P.J. O'Dea's remains a proud West Clare man to this day and the entire County is delighted to see that he is finally being officially recognised for his invaluable contribution to the GAA."

Speaking during a function at Gaelic Park, Mr. O'Dea said he was honoured that a delegation from Clare had travelled to meet with members of the Irish community in Chicago.

Known affectionately in Chicago as 'The Man From Clare', Mr. O'Dea added that his love for Gaelic Games went with him wherever he travelled and that he remained passionate about hurling and football.  

Commenting on a playing career that spanned three decades, he explained, "Medals were not important to me, I was just happy to have my health and play the games."

According to Cllr. Flan Garvey, Cathaoirleach of the Clare Tourist Council, "PJ is seen as a father-figure by Chicago's Irish population, in particular by people from County Clare.  He has worked selflessly for decades to assist the many thousands of Irish people who have travelled to this area in search of new beginnings. He is also highly regarded by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley."

Cllr. Garvey added that PJ O'Dea has an unquenchable love for Gaelic Games and that he remains a prominent figure in the development of the GAA in the United States.

"PJ never misses an All-Ireland at home and travels every year. He is considered by many as the sportsman supreme and is one of the greatest living ambassadors for Gaelic Games and the Clare Tourist Council feel strongly that P.J should be honoured by his native county", continued Cllr. Garvey.

Born in Kilrush, P.J. O'Dea won his first county medal in 1939 and represented Clare in minor, junior and senior hurling and also played senior football with Clare and with the Munster teams in 1951 and 1952. Before moving to Dublin to play with Sean McDermott's, PJ lined out in attack with Treaty Sarsfields of Limerick collecting both senior hurling and football winner's medals.  He then went to England and played with the Holy Rosary club in Birmingham and won an All-Ireland hurling medal with Warwickshire. From there he immigrated to the US where he played hurling and football in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City.

He finally settled down in the 'Windy City', Chicago with his wife Mary. Despite the many injuries he received during his 30-year playing career, PJ lined out for the Chicago-based Shannon Rangers Erin’s Own and St. Mel's club.

Meanwhile, the ceremony marking the achievements of P.J. O'Dea was followed by a presentation on the recently opened Michael Cusack Centre in the North Clare village of Carron.  Paddy Maher, Manager provided a ten minute talk on the founder of the GAA.

Members of the Clare Association in Chicago, along with a travelling delegation from County Clare, were present at the presentation ceremony in Chicago.  The delegation, which includes Clare County Council, the Clare Tourist Council and Shannon Development, has travelled to the U.S. to meet with members of the Irish-American business community in Chicago and to showcase Clare's tourist attractions to over 150,000 festivalgoers at the Milwaukee Irish Fest in the neighbouring State of Wisconsin.

"We have household names who have played our games, from the Burren to Doon Lake, George Comerford, Considines, Goggles Doyle, Jimmy Smith and Larry Blake.  We had Tommy Doyle and P.J. O'Dea, Jordan's dash and dare.  With spirit of the Bannermen, in the storied County Clare." - 'The spirit of the Bannermen'

-ENDS-

Note to Editor:
For further information please call Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353-868534900 or media@dunphypr.com.

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
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