Paul Magee Classic 2013-Tribute to a True Hero

The May bank holiday weekend is fast approaching, and that means only one thing in Irish bowling: The Paul Magee Classic is back!

The popular charity event, first held in 2008, held on the first Sunday in May every year, celebrates the life of the late Paul Magee, who tragically passed away in 2007 after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

The event brings together bowlers, both past and present, as well as family and friends, some of whom may never have bowled a ball in their life, such was the popularity of the man.

There truly is a special atmosphere at this event, where competition takes a back seat and celebration of a life taken too early comes to the fore.

There isn’t one person who ever came across Paul who could have a bad word to say about him, and they would have many good ones to boot.

A man at the top of the game competitively for years, it was the spirit of the game which truly mattered to Paul. Whether he won or lost, there was always a smile on his face.

And on top of that he always had time for the next generation of bowlers coming through if they needed a bit of advice or guidance in the game.

I remember all the advice he gave me as a teenager finding my feet in the sport, and his generosity of time and his willingness to help a young boy understand the game better will stay with me forever.

The Classic is the perfect way to pay tribute to the great man. The day starts off early with the first of two packed squads of bowling, again testament to the popularity of the man that numbers usually exceed 150 players on the day.

It is a tournament like no other; the lights are dimmed, players are packed into the lanes, the prizes flow like water as the MC on the mike Sean Kennedy puts players on the spot to get a strike when the green pin is set down on their lane.

The atmosphere is like no other I have ever experienced, and this only continues into the afternoon as the event moves across to the Orchard Inn on the bottom of the hill in Stillorgan Village.

Glasses clink together as those who held Paul dear toast to his life and reminisce about their own favourite memories of the great man. There is live bands and a raffle, and all the proceeds go towards the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.

This is a special day on the calendar, and one that is unrivalled by any other in Irish bowling. It is quite simply a day not to be missed as we pay tribute to a great man and a great loss to Irish sport and to those who loved him.

Let us once again come together this May Bank Holiday weekend and raise a glass to a legend deeply missed, a true hero, Paul Magee.