'Pat Stakelum, Legend of the Ash' to be launched tonight in Ballycahill

He was regarded as one of the finest centre backs Tipperary ever produced and was the lynchpin of the three-in-a-row All-Ireland senior hurling winning team of 1949, ‘50 and ‘51.

Now, a new book on the life and times of the legendary Pat Stakelum is about to be launched – by his grandnephew, Limerick captain Declan Hannon.

Fittingly, the launch takes place on Saturday evening (October 7) in Ballycahill Community Centre at 8:00pm – only an accurate 65 metre free from where Pat learned his trade and a short distance to where he was raised in a very happy, hard-working home Ballinahow.

The Stakelum family and author Noel Dundon are extending a céad míle failte to all Gaels in Tipperary to come along and enjoy a great night of hurling chat and tales.

While Pat was a founding member of Dúrlas Óg juvenile GAA club in Thurles and was immensely proud that the club has become a giant in the county, his roots in Ballycahill were always very strong and his feat of winning three county senior hurling championships with the club (1948, 1951 and 1954) remain amongst his proudest on-field achievements.

That those victories were fashioned alongside his brothers, his neighbours and his parishioners was very special for Pat and something he always referenced as being of real note.

With that in mind, the local community is very proud to unveil a special tribute to Pat – a former Secretary of the Tipperary County GAA Board - with a space in the gallery of the Community Centre being dedicated to him.

His famous bicycle – the one on which he carried the 1949 silverware having captained Tipperary to Munster and All-Ireland glory – forms the centrepiece of the tribute having been restored by local man Tom Gallagher.

Paddy and Norah Stakelum, Pat’s parents, brought ten children into the world at their farm in Ballinahow.

The ancient game was a way of life in that little hamlet nestled between the historic village of Ballycahill, the townland of Killinan, and the main road from the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Thurles, to the north Tipp capital of Nenagh.

Within five miles of their home, eleven All-Ireland senior hurling winning captains have hailed, including their son Pat, who led the Premier County to victory in 1949.

Remarkably, their son was to be followed by their grandson Bobby Ryan, and their great-grandson Declan Hannon (Limerick) as All-Ireland winning senior hurling captains, with all three manning the number six jersey in their triumphant years.

It was Pat Stakelum who started it all off. Regarded as one of the finest ever centre backs the game has seen, Pat Stakelum Legend of the Ash is a great story, as told through his eyes and with contributions from those who knew him best.

The book reflects Pat’s prowess not just with the camán, but also with the driver and putter, a deck of cards, his work as a salesperson with Dwans mineral water in Thurles, his devotion to family and of course the love story that he shared with his wife Nancy.

Pat’s five children and the extended Stakelum family are delighted to consign his story to print and are thrilled to have his memory immortalised in the written form.

On the night, a panel of guests will give their views of Pat Stakelum and on the current state of hurling – these household names include Bobby and Aidan Ryan, Richard and Conor Stakelum – all nephews of Pat – Declan Carr, All-Ireland winning senior hurling captain of Tipperary in 1991 and fellow Ballycahill man, and of course Declan Hannon.

It promises to be a great night with a few more surprises in store as well. The book will be available to purchase on the night and will also be available in local shops. At just €20, it is a must for all Tipperary GAA people.