On Sunday evening last the sad news filtered through that another great coursing and track personality had gone to his eternal rest.
Ennis and Clarecastle Coursing Club Honorary President, Paddy Coote of Drimeen, Ennis and formerly of Coote’s Bakery, Cahercalla Cross passed away peacefully at home in his ninety first year.
Paddy ran his dogs under the Drimeen prefix and was one of life’s great characters whose company you would love to enjoy. His wit was legendary and his memory of greyhounds of times long past was second to none.
He saw the great Spanish Battleship win his 3rd consecutive Irish Derby in 1955 and when asked what were the best coursing dog and bitch, he had the pleasure of seeing course he’d reply without hesitation Fourth Of July (Derby 1957) and the late Tom Hayes’ Tender Honey (Oaks 1969).
The chief celebrant at Paddy’s funeral mass was retired priest Fr Harry Brady, the mass took place at The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Ennis with burial in Drumcliffe Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife Alice, children Martina, Noel (Chairman Ennis & Clarecastle CC), Siobhan, Stephanie and Orla, sons-in-law Sean, Eric, Liam and Joe, daughters-in-law Mary and Mary, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers Michael and Frank, sisters Margaret and Patricia, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and all his coursing and track friends.
The Song 4&9 was Paddy’s party piece and it was fitting that his son Noel lead with the singing of it in a final tribute at the graveside.
