1992 Paddy Steele
PHOT TO FOLLOW -Down the years various families have played a major role in the development of the club and none more so than the Steele family of Castlewellan. Farmers and Butchers to trade, the Steele family had a butcher’s shop in the town’s Upper Square up until the 1970’s. It was Paddy that took over the family butcher shop, which he worked until his retirement, before handing on to his son Tony. Paddy was one of four Steele brothers who all made a major contribution to the development of Castlewellan G.A.C. in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
When Fr. McAlea formed the St. Malachy’s parish team in 1932 Paddy along with his older brother Tommy were up and coming young players and helped form the nucleus of the new Club. Within a few years the team became a force to be reckoned with and went on to win two SFC titles in 1934 and again in 1936. The team panel in 1934/36 contained other great Gaelic footballers, many becoming loyal servants to the club down through the following 50 years. -Click here- for team photo.
The 1934/36 panel was Hugh Kelly – Hugh McNabb (Capt) – Seamus Leneghan – John King – Paddy Steele (Hall of Fame) – Hugh McLean – Hugh McMullan – John O’Hare (Hall of Fame) – Tommy Hannity – Mick Lamb – Pat O’Boyle – Mousey Hanna – Tommy Steele (Hall of Fame) – Frank Lennon (Hall of Fame) – Peter Hawkins – Mick McDonald – James Maginn (Hall of Fame) – Fr. P. J. O’Hare – Liam Ferguson – Tom McCann (Hall of Fame).
Just as the new Club was getting established not only winning SFCs but Feis Sevens as well, a disagreement in 1938 saw the Club fold. The Steele brothers along with numerous other Castlewellan players, frustrated at not having a team of their own, joined neighbouring club Bryansford and helped them win 4 S.F.C. titles in a row 1939 – 42. In eight years Paddy and the other town players of the 1934/36 team that had moved to Bryansford were the proud holders of a record 6 Down Senior Football Championship medals, 2 with the town and 4 with Bryansford.
When the town club reformed in 1940 Paddy and the other town players returned a few years later to the town club. Although a member of the town team that reached two SFC finals in 1945 and 1946, Paddy and the men of his generation had hung up their boots before the town won their fourth SFC title in 1950.
His peers described Paddy as a colossal of a defender who never gave his opponent an inch. Always an automatic choice on the county senior team in the less fashionable days, Paddy is often talked about for his feat in a Lagan Cup match against Antrim who were kingpins in Ulster at the time, when he marked and held the great Kevin Armstrong scoreless on that occasion.
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