*Pa Howard.
A LINK to old Ireland may have been extinguished this week with the death of Pa Howard but his legacy will live on through his work, friends and collection of history.
By Michael O’Connor
Ninety one year old Pa was laid to rest in his beloved Tubber on Tuesday, he died on Saturday at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) following a short illness. Behind his unassuming shy nature was a man fiercely devoted to his land, his home parish of Tubber and his county.
From 1962 to 1988, ‘Pa’s field’ was the home of Tubber hurling before the club developed their current facilities. Passing by his home at night and if the light was on served as a sure sign that he was reading up on hurling, a guest was present or he was simply saying a prayer.
With his native club, Pa served as club secretary for fifteen years from 1960 to 1975, a selector with the club for ten years but prior to this played at all levels for Tubber over a twenty four year career stretching from 1949 to 1972. He also served as a selector with Clare squads at minor and U21.
Howard has helped to provide one of the most important Clare GAA documents published. ‘Over 50 years of Hurling, 1949-2001: Pa Howard’s Collection’ is a 564 page summary of names, dates, places and match results compiled by Pa, it lists the names of 1280 players in 1040 games. Every player who ever donned the Clare jersey at any level for over 50 years is mentioned in this book. It set the template for recording GAA history.
Crusheen’s Pat O’Donnell generously sponsored the book which was spearheaded by Pa with the following committee members, Michael O’Grady (Tubber), Jimmy Corry (Sixmilebridge), Padraig Mac Mathúna (Cooraclare), Pat Danaher (Tulla), Leo Doyle (Bodyke) and Jimmy Smyth (Ruan).
Speaking this week, Leo admitted, “it was one of the honours of my life to help out in some way”. He described Pa as “one of life’s saints”. Leo added, “Pa lived a simple wholesome life in which his faith was the guide for how he approached all life matters. Farming and his love of Tubber and Clare were uppermost in his thoughts. Pa was indeed one of Clare’s greatest supporters and travelled everywhere to follow his county as do so many hoping for wins but must importantly that the teams perform well. He was renowned for his collection of programmes, papers and scrap books relating to Clare hurling. His famous collection was turned into a bible of record edited by Jimmy Smyth”.
Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan said of Pa’s passing, “We have lost a wonderful man”. He stated, “He was a true Clare hurling supporter. I always felt a calm enthusiasm with the way he supported the team and each player individually, but also an absolute delight after some of the really good days. He could be seen anywhere in the country at any time who would always take the time to say well done”.
Order and planning were central to Pa’s routine. If there were games on in Cusack Park he would leave early in the morning, get mass in either the Poor Clares or the Friary, he would then park his car in the same area, go for a pre-game meal at the Sherwood Inn and then stroll across to the Park for the action. He loved more than anything the pilgrimage to Croke Park for big games none more than All Ireland weekend with his friends. He attended more than sixty All-Ireland finals.
As part of his collection, Pa had reports of every Clare senior hurling final from 1946 published in The Clare Champion and other publications. From 1950 when a sport star of the week would be announced in the national papers, Pa cut out the announcement and pasted the report into his scrapbooks. All this material including programmes, magazines, cut outs from papers were lovingly catalogued for easy reference when a discussion was in play at one of the many gatherings.
Such gatherings saw various GAA personalities trek to Tubber to be hosted by Howard, some were planned with food and treats laid out, others were informal. With chats around the fireplace, it was a homage to old Ireland. The debates would be fulsome about the matters of the day regarding the GAA and specifically about hurling. Regular attendees down through the years included Mac Mathúna, Doyle, Corry, O’Grady, Smyth, Danaher, Len Gaynor, Tony Meaney, Seamus O’Reilly, Noel O’Driscoll, Cyril Lyons. Seamus Durack, Owen O’Donnell, Pat O’Donnell, Tom McNamara, Joe McDonagh, Noel Morris, Brendan Hennessy, Justin McCarthy, Martin Hanrahan and more.
Tubber’s representation on Clare squads always made Pa very proud, particularly in the 1970s and 80s when the O’Connor brothers Michael, Enda and Pat were heavily involved, when Eamon Taaffe scored the winning goal in the 1995 All-Ireland final and when Patrick O’Connor lined out at wing back when Clare won the 2013 All-Ireland final.
There was a fondness for Pa outside of Tubber, Patrick O’Connor noted. “Growing up in Tubber there is every chance you will become immersed in the hurling club and if you got it involved in the hurling club you were guaranteed to hear Pa Howard’s name being spoken about. As a youngster Pa was always spoked about in such glowing terms. His acts of kindness and love of Tubber ensuring you understand the esteem he was held in ever before I met him. As I got older and moved up the grades with Clare underage teams you began to understand the fondness people had for Pa wasn’t just within Tubber. Speaking to locals all around the country after games it never failed to amaze me when the connection was made and I was asked ‘Do you know Pa Howard’.
“Despite his incredible knowledge and the lofty status he was held in it always struck me about how respectful he was. He would never criticise and would always have a word of encouragement. Never forceful but always genuine. One day in particular sticks out in recent years where we organised the Clare senior panel to call in to Pa at home when they were nearby. Undoubtedly, very proud he did have a few stern words for me that he wasn’t given the opportunity to put on his good jumper. We have lost a Clare hurling fanatic and an incredibly humble and genuine man but just like his legacy proceeded him when I was a young boy his legacy will live on strong,” O’Connor added.
