Paddy Weir

At 86, Paddy Weir is President of the Bonniconlon Club. Although he no longer attends meeting he does still travel to matches in his tractor. Paddy was involved in his club as a player, referee, secretary and club delegate. Paddy talks about the setting up of the local club by Fr O’Hara and the early facilities the club had. He remembers the trouble the club had finding a field to play in and how they had to take wood from a local forestry for posts. He describes how pigs bladders were used for balls until he and his friends collected enough money to buy a proper ball. Paddy talks about the impact of emigration on the area and on the club, travelling to matches and the problem caused by the Second World War. He describes listening to matches on one of the two radios in the village, the changes in the GAA, the development of club facilities and his opinion on the rule changes which have occurred.