Friends In Deed

FRANK GREALLY

Two long-time dear friends of mine have passed on since the last issue of Irish Runner and as I put this issue to bed I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pat McCourt and Brian Tyrrell – two great stalwarts of the Irish running community who always brightened my day when I met them.

Pat McCourt was fiercely proud of his Derry City roots and he had twin passions in sport; his beloved Derry City Football Club and running, especially distance running and events like the Women’s Mini-Marathon and the Dublin Marathon.

I still remember a night long ago when I sat with Pat and Frank Slevin in the Mill House pub in Stillorgan and discussed the idea of promoting an all-women’s 10K running event that would be called the Women’s Mini-Marathon. The year was 1983 and the month was January. We little thought at that time that the Women’s Mini- Marathon would blossom, bloom and evolve into the biggest all-women running event in the world, with over 40,000 taking part in the latest running of the event in June 2014. The germ of that brilliant Mini- Marathon idea came from Frank Slevin and Pat McCourt – a fact that should never be forgotten.

I was surprised when I did not see Pat in his usual assisting role at this year’s Women’s Mini-Marathon; I later learnt that was the very week he received his cancer diagnosis and was admitted to hospital. The week before, Pat had been enjoying his regular running routine, then suddenly all that was taken away from him.

FOUNDING FATHER
Pat McCourt and Frank Slevin were two of the founders of the legendary Donnybrook AC; at the time both were employed by CIE, working out of the Donnybrook garage. They were both steeped in running and in their workplace gathered around them a lively and spirited group of runners who competed in Donnybrook AC colours. Pat was also one of the founders of Bray Runners, another club close to his heart.

He was also a former Vice-Captain of Crusaders AC and competed for that club in a European Club Championships.

Pat sometimes wrote for Irish Runner and his support was constant for the magazine right from the start back in 1981. He also wrote a successfully-staged play, Dreams and Nightmares set in his native Derry and over the year was a constant source of encouragement to a host of runners who he helped in many ways.

Pat did his many good deeds in a quiet way. For several years, too, he was the voice of the annual Simon Community 5 Mile Road Race in the Phoenix Park; delivering the race commentary in his inimitable style. I always looked forward to visiting him in the commentary box during the October event; it was our annual catchup time, when we talked about family and friends and, of course, running. This year Irish Runner will honour Pat’s memory by providing the Simon Community 5 Mile organisers with a trophy to be presented to the winner of the event. We will also honour Pat’s memory in another special way at the Remembrance Run 5K in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, November 9.

Pat’s passing reminds me that I need to connect more often with long-standing and close running friends who have long supported me in various ways. Pat was always a great friend – a kind and generous spirit I will never forget.

There is one image of my friend that has stayed with me for many years now and it is of Pat the family man. It was an evening coming up to Christmas and I remember watching Pat, his wife Marie and their two small children, Ian and Sinead walking along a busy pavement in Dublin’s city centre, talking and laughing with a beautiful and tender togetherness. The scene that evening long ago was too precious to intrude on and so I stayed in the shadows, but a it left me with an especial memory that still resonates. Pat and Marie celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in May, before Pat was plucked away all too soon. To Marie, Ian and Sinead I offer my heartfelt condolences.

CHERISHED MEMORIES
Brian Tyrrell was another gentle spirit who I referred to in the April/May issue of Irish Runner as ‘ A Man of Good Cheer’. Brian’s recent passing has also left a deep and sad imprint, but I cherish the memories that the man from Poppintree has left me with and I can smile when I remember him in the same way as I smile then I think of Pat McCourt.

Brian never had things easy and since the early 1980s he had struggled with a number of serious health issues. Just like Pat McCourt, you never heard Brian complain about any of the challenges that life threw at him. He just smiled that gentle smile of his and got on with things. He had a few other things too in common with Pat McCourt; a wonderfully supportive and loving family and a deep-rooted love of running. It was cancer too that finally claimed Brian; the man who brightened up so many running events over the years by turning up in an array of fancy dress outfits. I am going to miss this gentle man who always appeared up-beat and positive. I will make sure that his great spirit is celebrated in a special way at Remembrance Run 5K on November 9. See www.remembrancerun.ie.

To Brian’s wife Nancy, his daughters Louise Fagan and Karen Malone, I offer my deepest sympathy. God, please be kind to my two lovely friends.

Just like Pat McCourt, you never heard Brian Tyrrell complain about any of the challenges that life threw at him.