PL Curran was a visionary ahead of his time for Co Carlow and ‘one in a million’

THE world of Irish athletics is a poorer place this week following the death on Tuesday 16 June at Dublin’s Beacon Hospital of PL Curran, Clonmore, Killeshin, Carlow.

PL’s profile in the sport he served so loyally for so long stretched from local level with Carlow’s St Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club to international recognition through his role as manager of the Irish athletics team for the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

He passed away following a brave battle with serious illness since late last year, having celebrated his 81st birthday on 13 May.

News of his death cast a gloom over Carlow town and district, the profound sense of loss extending throughout the community and to many parts of the country where PL’s name was known and respected in the Irish athletics family. Tributes poured in for a man described as ‘one in a million’, whose influence was felt at every level of athletics.

PL Curran’s obsession with athletics knew no bounds: he was a prime mover in the establishment of St Laurence O’Toole’s wonderful club facility in Askea, which boasts an Olympic-standard 400 metres track and is rightly regarded as one of Ireland’s leading centres of athletics.

The Mondo track at the Carlow club follows World Athletics specifications.

His appointment as manager of Ireland’s track and field team at LA was a highly merited accolade for the man from the Carlow/Laois border and an obvious sporting career highlight for PL. That 23rd Summer Olympiad was crowned with Irish success on the track when the great John Treacy came home second to claim the silver medal for Ireland in the men’s marathon. It was Ireland’s first Olympic track medal in 28 years since Ronnie Delaney, recently deceased, claimed the gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics of 1956.

John Treacy and PL became firm friends at that time in 1984. The forging of that friendship with the marathon man from Villierstown, Co Waterford led to him becoming a regular visitor to the Barrowside town ‒ at PL’s invitation ‒ on occasion guesting at local athletics functions.

The Olympian was among the mourners at his great friend’s funeral on Friday and there was spontaneous applause in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen during PL’s funeral Mass when John Treacy brought forward, as a symbol of PL’s life, a mascot from the LA Games and the medal presented to PL by the Irish Olympic Council (IOC) as one of the symbols of PL’s life.

In a heartfelt tribute to their fallen figurehead, the St Laurence O’Toole club described PL as ‘an extraordinary man who gave so much of his time, energy and passion to St Laurence O’Toole AC. His vision, dedication and leadership were instrumental in shaping the club and contributing to its success over many decades’.

PL was described as ‘a tireless volunteer and dedicated advocate for athletics throughout Co Carlow and beyond.

‘He regularly organised championship events and designed medals for Carlow County Athletics, where he served with distinction in numerous roles on the county board. His commitment to promoting athletics was unwavering and his influence was felt at every level of the sport.’ 

The club noted the many roles PL fulfilled at O’Toole’s – volunteer, coach, PRO, administrator, mentor and leader. He dedicated countless hours to supporting and developing both juvenile and senior athletes and nothing brought greater joy to the Killeshin native than seeing athletes achieve their goals and fulfil their potential.

Continuing, the St Laurence O’Toole commendation noted: ‘As the driving force behind the creation of the club Olympic-standard track, PL was immensely proud to see the project come to fruition. The completion of the track represented the fulfilment of a life-long dream and a vision he had worked tirelessly towards for many years. Yet, true to his humble nature, he never sought personal recognition, always insisting that its success was the result of a collective team effort rather than his own achievement.

‘PL’s contribution to athletics, to our club and the wider community was immense. His legacy will live on through the countless athletes he inspired, the facilities he helped create and the enduring values he instilled in all who had the privilege of knowing him.’ 

The club also referenced PL’s pivotal role in the establishment of community games in Co Carlow, which provided the building blocks ‒ through the promotion of underage athletics ‒ for the future success of many adult athletes from the ‘Dolmen County’.

As a founding member of community games, he became the organisation’s first county chairman in 1973, a position he held for ten years. Throughout his tenure, he championed the values of participation, inclusion and enjoyment, believing that every child should have an opportunity to take part, regardless of the outcome.

It was, indeed, appropriate that the weekend of PL’s funeral coincided with the staging of the county community games finals in Ardattin.

When PL returned from the 1984 Olympics, he was interviewed by the late Paul Donaghy, then sports editor of The Nationalist, when he reflected on the experience of a lifetime when managing the largest ever entry of Irish track and field athletes at an Olympic Games.

While PL’s focus, naturally, was on the management of the 17 Irish athletes, he recalled a recreational highlight at a beach party, hosted by Nike, the US sports firm, at which The Rolling Stones provided the music. At that gig, PL met US Olympian Carl Lewis, British stars Sebastian Coe, David Moorecroft and Daley Thompson, along with New Zealand’s John Walker.

Distinguished sporting company indeed for the man from Killeshin.

Ger McNally, sports editor of The Nationalist, in a tribute stated that PL always maintained close contact with the newspaper, promoting St Laurence O’Toole AC at every possible opportunity and was the driving force behind the quarterly and annual sports awards sponsored by The Nationalist.

Ger stated: “He just loved to see people competing and giving of their best in sport. From the youth awards, where youngsters with immense potential are recognised, to the hall of fame awards, where the heroes of yesteryear are remembered, PL was immersed in it all.” 

PL Curran also had a life outside of athletics.

He spent all his working life in the employ of Carlow Sugar Factory on Athy Road, joining the factory workforce on 27 September 1962 to serve as an apprentice fitter-welder.

He retained a huge commitment to the welfare of apprentices who joined Irish Sugar, tradesmen who now remember PL with great affection. As one online tribute noted, PL played a major role in guiding many a young man on their future career.

PL also served as a worker director on the board of Irish Sugar, a reflection of the confidence bestowed on him as a leader by his working colleagues.

He had unbroken service of 45 years at the sugar plant.

Denis Shannon, a friend of PL’s for 60 years and a stalwart of Tinryland Athletic Club, related a story concerning PL when, in 1964, he won the Co Carlow novice cross-country championship. He ran in the colours of Cosets, the sporting arm of Carlow Sugar Factory.

There was no cup for the race winners, so PL took himself to Robinson’s in Carlow, purchased a cup for £20, which he dedicated to his father Martin. PL paid off the sum from his wages at the rate of 10/- (shillings) a week for 20 weeks.

To this day, the cup is the prize for the novice county cross-country race.

PL was a man of many parts.

He was a keen photographer and a long-time member of Carlow Camera Club. He was a member of Carlow Rotary Club and Carlow Toastmasters Club, a horse racing enthusiast, he played golf at Carlow Golf Club and was also well-known as a quizmaster in the Carlow area.

Brendan Hennessy, KCLR sports commentator and a close friend of PL, provided a wonderful tribute in an interview on KCLR Daily.

Brendan said PL was the brains behind the realisation of the dream of providing the Mondo track at O’Toole’s, although he would always say it was a team effort. And it was a great source of pride to him when the track was officially opened in September 2024 in the presence of the then minister for sport Thomas Byrne, Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland, while John Treacy was also in attendance, along with a number of local athletic stars.

PL, he said, spearheaded the obtaining of LEADER and sports grants for the O’Toole’s club.

His daily routine, following retirement, was to be at the O’Toole’s club every morning at 7am, where he worked on a voluntary basis throughout the day in unison with the FÁS workers employed at the track.

He ran Carlow community games like the Olympics, obtaining the flags of countries from the various embassies in Dublin for use at the Carlow games, and there was first, second and third podium placings.

He recalled PL’s involvement in the founding of soccer in Killeshin and as manager of the Cosets inter-firms football and hurling teams, which featured some household GAA names from counties Carlow, Laois, Kilkenny and Kildare.

In an overall sense, he said, PL “was well got in everything he did”.

In the workplace, he took over the management of the sugar company apprentices in Carlow, succeeding the late Enda Smith in that role. PL ensured that, on qualification, apprentices were placed in Irish employment through his contacts within the industry.

Brendan said PL was immensely proud that a total of 17 full international athletes had emerged from the ranks of St Laurence O’Toole AC.

Brendan said he had been with PL over an extended time the day before his peaceful passing and, during that time, PL rang many of his friends, some living abroad, to say his goodbyes as his time was short.

PL reposed at Healy’s Funeral Home, Pollerton Castle on Thursday 18 June, when huge crowds gathered to pay their respects. Prayers were led by Bishop Denis Nulty, with Fr John Dunphy, PP, Graiguecullen-Killeshin assisting.

On Friday afternoon, members of SLOT, past and present, many wearing the club’s blue colours, accompanied PL on his final journey to his beloved St Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club.

His remains were conveyed from Healy’s for two circuits (800 metres) of the running track, the cortège being led by lone piper Mick Ryan, a neighbour of PL’s and member of Killeshin Pipe Band.

Several hundred people followed the hearse, including athletes from Tinryland AC, St Abban’s AC and Newbridge AC.

The national flag hung at half-mast from the clubhouse.

PL’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St Clare’s Church by Fr Dunphy, assisted by Mgr John McEvoy, PP, Rathvilly and Very Rev Liam Cassin, PE, Hugginstown, Co Kilkenny.

The coffin was carried into the church by his nephews and from the church by members of St Laurence O’Toole’s and his close friends.

The bringing forward of symbols of PL’s life at Mass was narrated by his lifelong friend Des Long (Dublin). Mary Kelly (sister) brought forward a family photo; his Toastmaster badge was presented by Paul Shortall (nephew); former sugar factory colleagues Tom Scully and Peter Buckley brought forward photos PL took of the factory before its demolition and after; sports books were brought forward by Linda Dunne and Gillian Purser, a lifelong friend of PL’s; and mementos from Carlow Camera Club were presented by Linda Nolan and Charlie Callinan.

The readings at Mass were by Michael Curran (brother) and Geraldine Shortall (sister), while Prayers of the Faithful were recited by nieces Sandra Buckley, Margaret Shortall, Marian Shaughnessy, Kathlyn Curran and Linda Dunne, a friend of PL’s.

The bringing forward of the Offertory gifts was by Mary Scully and Bridie Kelly (sisters), while a candle and rosary beads were presented by PL’s grandnephews Cian and Adam Shortall.

Ava O’Rourke (grandniece) was altar server at Mass.

The wonderful singing at Mass was by Shane Sullivan (nephew), who also played guitar, while Katelyn Curran (niece) sang the responsorial psalm. The fine rendition of Frank Sinatra’s My Way by Shane was appropriate to PL’s general philosophy in life.

Fr Dunphy, in a eulogy, said PL was the third in a family of nine children. He attended Killeshin National School and Carlow Vocational School before joining the sugar factory as a fitter-welder.

He went on to speak of PL’s deep faith as a daily Mass-goer and his devotion to the Holy Cross Men’s Sodality in Killeshin. He said PL had also researched the Curran family tree, commenting: “family was so important to him”.

Fr Dunphy referenced PL’s liking for a flutter on the horses and the joy he gained from meeting up for a chat with his friends.

He concluded by saying PL Curran had fought the good fight “and had finished the race”.

PL’s sister Kathleen Curran, in a tribute, said her brother, known as Paddy within the family circle, held a keen interest in football, the ‘sport of kings’, golf and photography and “also dabbled a little in antiques and collectibles”.

He was a man of vision and possessed the gifts of bringing dreams to reality, but always played down these achievements. “He always distanced himself and never tolerated praise on any level.” 

In terms of his deep love for competitive running over all disciplines, it could be said in relation to his involvement with St Laurence O’Toole’s “that he was the first to carry the baton there and has guaranteed it will never be dropped”.

Kathleen continued: “Memories of his management of the Irish athletics team at the 1984 LA Games is well documented and was a great achievement for one so young at the time.” 

Kathleen stated: “In the past few days, many memories and instances involving PL have been recalled and, no doubt, those and other reminiscences will flourish for many days and weeks ahead.” 

Billy Delaney, chairman of St Laurence O’Toole AC and retired teacher, told the congregation that his interest in athletics and coaching germinated in Presentation College, Askea, where he started to introduce a few of the students to schools athletics.

“That led me over to the club across the road (SLOT), where I met numerous people who became lifelong friends, many of them gone to their eternal rest.

“The man who seemed to be pulling all the strings was PL and we became inseparable friends for over 30 years. He told me of his vision to develop the club with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities that would rival any club in Ireland.” 

Billy was sceptical about this as he had attended a recent AGM where he saw the club had a turnover of less than £5,000 “and barely enough in the kitty for a good night in Reddy’s. But the last thing you would want to do was dampen a person’s enthusiasm, so I buckled up for the ride.

“I would describe my journey with PL very like a hurdles race – there are hurdles in the way, but you have to develop the skill to clear them cleanly and, if perfected, you will reach the finish line. If I was to go over all those hurdles we negotiated, I would keep you here a very long time.

“There were always willing helpers in St Laurence O’Toole’s and PL got the best out of everyone. It was very hard to say no to him.” 

Billy said PL managed to get so much done in his lifetime, the club being a legacy to his vision, planning and never seeing the impossible, only what could be achieved.

“I hope St Laurence O’Toole will flourish long into the future and future generations of boys and girls, many not even born yet, will benefit from your vision.” 

Niece Catherine Shortall read a poem she dedicated to PL, titled Somewhere.

PL, predeceased by his sister Patricia Buckley (Carlow), is mourned by his siblings ‒ brothers Michael (Carlow), Eamonn (Carlow) and Francis (Kilkenny), sisters Kathleen Curran (Carlow), Bridie Kelly (Ballylinan, Co Laois), Mary Scully (Killeshin) and Gerardine Shortall (Kilkenny).

He is also mourned by his brothers-in-law Pat and Martin, sister-in-law Marie Curran (née Fennelly), nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives and his local community.

At Killeshin, the remains were borne to the church by members of the local GAA club, while a guard of honour was formed by members of the Holy Cross Men’s Sodality.

PL was laid to rest with his parents Martin and Annie (née Moore) in the Curran family plot in Killeshin old cemetery, with Fr Dunphy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.