'He's up in Heaven, with a one-shot latte, telling the Pope about his 400 medals'

A framed photograph of Pat Naughton in mid-flow on the athletics track was displayed proudly on the altar of St Mary of the Rosary Church this week, a fitting tribute to a man who lived and breathed sport right into his 90s.

The service was led by Nenagh's Fr Pat Gilbert who spoke of a man full of kindness, faith, laughter, generosity, and love. 

He added that Pat was, above all else, a family man with the gift of the gab, an infectious enthusiasm for life, with farming in his veins.

Pat Naughton's sporting achievements, of which there are almost too many to mention, were left to his son Eoin, who delivered a moving eulogy that celebrated the life of his father.

Eoin rightly pointed out that his father had "a lot to blow about", including four European honours, three national secior decathlete medals, and no less than 50 consecutive All Ireland Athletics appearances right up to last year.

Pat, a Nenagh man through and through, was well loved and respected throughout the community. Whether it was chatting sport and any other business at Cafe Q in Nenagh with a one-shot latte, or bestowing bags of potatoes and fresh fruit he'd grown in his garden to friends and family.

Family, friends, and acquaintances alike filled the Church on Wednesday morning to celebrate this remarkable man.

Eoin concluded his eulogy with a heartwarming thought; that if there's a Cafe Q in heaven, Pat Naughton is busy telling the late Pope Francis about his 400 medals, a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

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