Paddy Cullen died today, 7th February, at the age of 80. There were many tributes paid to him during the day, my favourites were a bio of Paddy from from Marty Whelan and the second a recording of a compilation of GAA greatest moments.
Paddy Cullen was a giant among goalkeepers. Picture: Connolly Collection / SPORTSFILE
Paddy Cullen made his debut in goal for Dublin in 1966 and during the next 13 years he was one of the best known figures in Dublin GAA.
He won three All-Ireland titles and four All-Star awards as part of the swashbuckling ‘Heffo’s Army‘ that rejuvenated the game in the capital. I still get a thrill when I hear the Heffo Army song with Micheal O Hehir’s voice backing introduction to the team
O the Jack are back the Jacks are back
Let the Railway end go barmy
For Hill 16 has never seen the likes of Heffos army
We came marching out of Leinster, when no-one thought we would,
Then we smashed the mighty champions, when they said we never could.
For 11 years we’ve waited, now there’s nothing left to prove
So let’s hear it now for Dublin, Heffo’s Army’s on the move.
They came marching in from Ringsend and from Ballyfermot too
From East Wall and Marino to support the boys in blue
For eleven years we’ve waited and theres nothing left to do
Now hear it now for Heffo, Heffo’s army’s on the move
O the Jack are back the Jacks are back
Let the Railway end go barmy
For Hill 16 has never seen the likes of Heffos army
I have 2 enduring memories of Paddy Cullen:
- his penalty save against Galway in 1974 when Dublin won the Sam for the first time in 11 years
- his immortalisation in 1979, not so much by being lobbed by Mikey Sheehey, but by Con Houlihan, describing Cullen dashing “back toward his goal like a woman who smells a burning cake”.
