The Gaelic Games fraternity at St Mary's University College, past and present, is saddened by the passing of a great ‘Rancher' in Paddy Diamond from Randalstown, County Antrim. Paddy was a student at St Joseph's College of Education in the 1960s and a most dynamic one at that.

He was a powerful man on the field, playing midfield for Antrim. Off the field, he was an energetic and innovative leader who raised the performance bar in all that he did. Paddy had enormous respect for his Physical Education tutor, Mr Jim McKeever, and that remained the case throughout his life.

Paddy was instrumental in recent years in documenting and celebrating the heritage of Gaelic football at the College. He has left us with a wonderful book in ‘Passing the Flame' which is both a sports and social history of the 1960s. He recently described the scale of the contribution made by St Mary's students and graduates to Tyrone's victory in the 2021 All-Ireland Football Final as monumental.

The College Principal, Professor Peter Finn, said; “Paddy Diamond had a great affinity with the Ranch and encouraged us to keep the flame alive in promoting Gaelic games. We will miss his presence and we extend our most sincere condolences to his family.”