Paddy fought a battle with Parkinson's for over 14 years with dignity and bravery. He was a devoted husband to Anthea, a loving father to Lucy, Paul, Joey and Andrew, his eldest son who predeceased him in 2022, and a faithful friend to so many.

Paddy was a student at Campbell College in Belfast before joining the RAF and qualifying as a pilot attached to 84 Squadron.

He will be remembered fondly at London Irish for deriving Mini rugby at Sunbury at the start of the 1979 season and remaining at the helm of Mini and Youth rugby until 1991. In addition to managing Mini and Youth rugby he was also involved with the London Irish first XV; using his skills as a documentary and TV commercial film maker to record matches for coaches and players to analyse. He also prepared notes for match day programmes, performed admin duties and helped greatly with fundraising.

With the advent of competitive league rugby and the prospect of professional rugby on the horizon and Paddy’s career in the film industry flourishing, with adventures to USA, Japan, Africa and all over Europe, he called a halt to his roles at London Irish.

He continued to support the club, attended matches at Sunbury, Harlequins and Reading and was particularly enthusiastic about Mini and Youth rugby, especially the Mini rugby festivals which he started at London Irish in 1982. He retired in 2001 and shortly afterwards moved to Somerset,

The club was honoured to have Paddy and his wife Anthea as guests at the 40th Annual Mini rugby festival on 23rd April 2023 when he and Syd Scott, R.I.P were given a guided tour of the Hazelwood facility and a tour of the pitches from the comfort of the Physio’s buggy.

Paddy spoke in the hospitality marquee later that day and his mantra was the same as his programme notes from the first Mini festival in 1982.

“What we do like is fun, sportsmanship, lots of effort, good rugby, and friendship. We are sure you will get that today in great measure”.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paddy’s wife, Anthea, daughter Lucy and sons Paul and Joey.

Paddy will have a simple cremation which may be followed at a later date by a gathering of friends for a memorial service to celebrate his life.

Club members will be notified if there is to be a memorial service.