St Patrick to make National Television Debut

[Barney]

This time last year Mayo's gem was in the news for all the wrong reasons:

Kerry target man Kieran Donaghy will miss his side's NFL Division 1A clash with Laois on Saturday after being slapped with a one-match suspension.

Donaghy has been banned by GAA chiefs for making an offensive gesture towards Mayo supporters during Kerry's league loss to the westerners at Castlebar on March 16.

Mayo claimed a 0-16 to 1-12 victory and the incident occurred just after Donaghy had missed a late chance to equalise.

Moments later, a piece of wood was thrown from the terrace in the direction of Donaghy and the Austin Stacks clubman reacted with a one-fingered salute to the crowd.

The forward has since apologised for his behaviour, admitting that the incident was "a mistake on both parts."

The Mayo County Board has launched an investigation into the incident and is also looking at its current stewarding arrangements at McHale Park.

Coins were also thrown at Kerry players during the game, with goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy hit by one on the calf.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that the wooden 'missile' thrown at Donaghy was, in fact, a wooden spoon which renowned Mayo supporter John Durcan always brings to county matches.

Durcan dresses as St. Patrick in the Mayo colours and as well as packing his bodhran, he always carries two wooden spoons to games.

Commenting on the incident and how his 'spare' spoon ended up on the pitch, he said: "I bring two wooden spoons to all the Mayo games, one in the Mayo colours and a spare one.

"I keep the spare inside the bodhran in case the other one breaks and it's secured in there good and tight.

"A couple of young lads were looking at my bodhran during the first half and must have taken the wooden spoon out. I'm very angry about it."

The Mayo County Board will use video evidence to try and identify the person who threw the spoon at Donaghy.

BUT tonight he is going to hit all the right notes on the his national debut:

Westport's St Patrick for Podge and Rodge


Neill O'Neill

THE bodhrán-banging and eccentric behaviour of Mayo's own Saint Patrick – aka John Durcan – in Croke Park and everywhere else in recent years has not gone unnoticed, and the ex-army man will make an appearance on The Podge and Rodge show on RTÉ tonight.
The foul-mouthed Ballydung brothers will air a St Patrick's Day special at 10,50pm today (Tuesday), and the entertaining Westport grandfather will be in full costume, and 'full flight', for the programme.
John was contacted by producers recently who were inquiring if he is the Croke Park Saint Patrick. He subsequently agreed to travel to Dublin yesterday (Monday) to participate in a special parade which was being filmed for the show. At the time of going to press he was unsure if his participation would end there, but vowed to 'give it a lash' if he was provided with the opportunity to give some of his famous one-liners in the studio.
St Patrick will be brandishing a new outfit for the occasion, which he plans to also bring with him to New York for Mayo's first game of the 2009 championship on May 10. The outfit has been adapted in light of the global economic downturn, and now says: 'St Patrick, Praying, Staying and Partying with Mayo – A Recession Free Zone – Born to Party, Forced to Pray' on the front. The back keeps with this theme and states: 'St Patrick, Alive and Kicking with Mayo – A Recession Free Zone – Too Old to Die Young'.
John will also be appearing as 'Crazy Maizy' – one of his other alter egos – on TG4 show 'Glas Vegas' next Sunday night.
He will, of course, continue to appear at all Mayo's championship matches in 2009.

This is an event to surpass Padraig Flynn on the Late Late, or Tom Tom singing "Sam Maguire is Coming Home to Mayo".

We're some bloody county!

[RedandGreenSniper]

Can someone tell me when it'll be safe to walk outside again without having my head hung in shame?

[Owenmoresider]

Can someone tell me when it'll be safe to walk outside again without having my head hung in shame?

Ah now it's hardly worse than the 2004 and 2006 AIF's is it?

[Canalman]

Seen him at many Mayo games. He seems to hang outside the grounds in the most visible area to get the most publicity.

[Zulu]

Surely there's no harm to him lads, a few 'colourful' characters like him help make sport and big sporting occasions.

[moysider]

He s a county home case.

When I was a young fella we had Paddy ' Bluett' used to show up at Mayo matches and sometimes pose in the photo with the team. But he was a harmless old lad but this fella is an unashamed exhibitionist.

[IolarCoisCuain]

I take your point Zulu but I personally reckon he's not very well with his nerves, if you get my meaning. Making a show of him on national TV is kind of a low trick I reckon.

[Rossfan]

There was another mad fella used to support ye years ago --he was on the Late late once - did he have a place called "Daffodil Ranch" or something and wore a hat with ribbons or flowers on it?

[Redhandfan]

It is good to see characters like this about.  In fact, our games could do with having a few more colourful and cheery eccentric supporters at games.

I had the great honour of shaking St Patrick's hand on my last visit to Castlebar for a Mayo v Tyrone NFL game.....he gave us Nordies a great welcome that day!

[RedandGreenSniper]

It is good to see characters like this about.  In fact, our games could do with having a few more colourful and cheery eccentric supporters at games.

I had the great honour of shaking St Patrick's hand on my last visit to Castlebar for a Mayo v Tyrone NFL game.....he gave us Nordies a great welcome that day!

Believe me RHF the novelty doesn't be long wearing off! Slightly funny the first time but he's a pest at this stage I'm afraid.