Paudie Palmer: A year on we all still feel the pain of losing a great GAA man

“AND how are you my good man?”

God but how you’d miss the simplest of greetings before the trademark wink and beginnings of a wry smile that meant a one-liner and plenty of banter was being lined up at your expense.

It’s hard to believe that it is almost 12 months since we lost Paudie Palmer so heartbreakingly and unexpectedly. Even harder to accept we will never again share a press box or side-line.

Trying to describe Paudie Palmer and the late broadcaster’s influence on local and national sports radio would require an entire supplement.

That’s because there are radios in kitchens located in every corner of the county that crackled with Paudie Palmer’s dulcet tones during his 30-year career. The voice of a generation, a consummate pro and a pure rogue. A must-listen every Saturday and Sunday before, during and after the club and inter-county GAA, LGFA, and camogie championships.

I feel fortunate to have been in his company during some of those matches, fortunate to have marvelled at the late broadcaster’s ability to recap an entire game live on radio without making a mistake. How I envied his turn of phrase.

Paudie’s greatest gift was making you feel special whenever in his company. People gravitated towards him because of his warmth, natural charm, and love of having the craic.

People constantly listened to Paudie on the radio or watched his many social media video clips because of his ability to make you feel like he was talking directly to you. A rare gift.

I’m convinced Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s press and media section was designed to be biting cold no matter what time of the year or weather. Probably something to do with the powers that be keeping the media on our (frozen) toes.

HOME TURF

The days I attend Páirc Uí Chaoimh for a club or inter-county match are when I miss him the most. That’s when Paudie was in his natural habitat among an increased number of friends, colleagues and fans.

If he wasn’t having a cut off me about Tottenham Hotspur or something I’d written, he was deep in pre-match chat and giggles among his 96FM and C103FM radio colleagues. Or maybe he was causing Marty Morrissey and the RTÉ crew to roar with laughter.

Waving, nodding, and acknowledging every member of the press box, those from Cork or those visiting from outside the county bounds, all by their first names too.

Yet, where Paudie was at his most gregarious was when engaging with members of the public. How he loved talking and listening to fans of all sports. How he enjoyed the stories, many of them personal, their yarns and laughter. There was always laughter when Paudie was about.

That was the thing that separated the Direendaragh, Kenmare native from his compatriots. Ever notice how his listeners and fans always referred to him as Paudie, like they were on first-name terms their whole lives?

Such was his geniality, everyone wanted to know him, speak to him, and be his friend. An even rarer gift.

The Páirc Uí Chaoimh press box and every club ground’s side-lines are poorer places since Paudie left us.

I have lost a close friend, a mentor, and one of the few people I could turn to in complete trust. Yet, whatever feelings of sadness we in the small world of local and national media circles have, they pale into significance when it comes to Paudie’s wife and family. They have lost so much more. I hope the extended Palmer family take solace in the fact Paudie is still loved and missed by every one of his radio colleagues, work colleagues, and legions of fans both inside and outside the county.

What is the best way to remember such a one-off, a rascal, a terrific commentator and the best sports broadcaster I ever knew?

What can you do only remember the good times and keep reliving those Paudie Palmer memories, the ones that bring a smile to your face?

Don’t cry because Paudie is no longer among us, smile if you were lucky enough to have been a part of his journey.

Rest easy my good man.