RTE Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty's GAA background, death of man who inspired him and emotional last minute surprise
The Late Late Show returns on Friday night
Patrick Kielty will return to the Late Late Show hotseat for a second season on Friday night.
An interview with Rory McIlroy, filmed at Royal County Down ahead of this week's Irish Open, will air during the programme, while Liverpool comedian John Bishop will be in studio, as will a number of Ireland's Olympics and Paralympics athletes.
Kielty has a sporting background himself, having won an All-Ireland minor title with his native Down in his younger days.
READ MORE: RTE Late Late Show guests announced as Rory McIlroy among star-studded lineup
READ MORE:Rory McIlroy's net worth after big wealth rise in 2024 as he competes at Irish Open
The chat show host has spoken about his love of GAA plenty in the past. Here's what he's had to say:
GAA influences
"I was taught by Jarlath Carey who was Headmaster in Sacred Heart Primary School in Dundrum and Jarlath won two All-Ireland medals with Down in ‘60 and ’61. He marked the mighty Mick O’Connell (Kerry) in the 1960 final, and he looked after the teams and so he would have been a massive influence growing up, said Kielty.
"Eddie McKay was the goalkeeper on the Down team in 60-61 and he was from Dundrum, and he was the guy who got me into being the goalkeeper.
"He gave me my senior start and I played senior football for Dundrum whenever I was 15, and then the late, great Pat O’Hare would have been my Games Teacher at St Pat’s Grammar School in Downpatrick. He coached and was the trainer alongside Pete McGrath for Down’s win in 1994. Looking back on it now, there were so many amazing people."
All-Ireland minor win
"I was on the Down panel for three years. I was a sub the first year when we won the All-Ireland and played the next two years. The team didn’t get out of Ulster, so make of that what you may in terms of a coincidence or not!
"Winning the All-Ireland was the absolute stand out. At the time you didn’t realise how hard they were to win, and you maybe thought the following year when you were playing 'ah well, we are the All-Ireland champions, you know, we’ll probably get as far again,’ so winning was the stand out.
"Playing with the brother, the two of us on the team, the first round of the championship in ‘88 we played Derry, and we won that game, and he scored four points and I didn’t do too bad in nets that day so that was a proud day."
Love of GAA
"It [the GAA] is massive for me. My brother is still the Chairman of our club in Dundrum, and my younger brother manages one of the teams and my nephew plays in one of the teams and is on the Down minor development panel this year, so we are all very proud of the progress he is making.
"For me, one of the best memories of 2023 would have been bringing my son Milo to the Tailteann Cup final, getting a Down jersey on him, bringing him to Croke Park for the first time. It’s been a long time since a Down man has had a day out there and the result didn’t go our way but once it is part of you, once the GAA is in your fibre and in your family, it doesn’t disappear, thank God."
Kielty Park
"Having the field named after the aul fella is just the greatest thing. I suppose at the time when it was named after him you didn’t realise what a big deal it is, but then with the passing of time and new generations coming through, it starts to mean that wee bit more.
"They upgraded the floodlights at the pitch last year and I had my two boys over for a couple of weeks, we get over as often as we can, and they were running out on the pitch under the lights and the eldest fella turned around and said ‘dad, dad, these lights are amazing, it never gets dark at Kielty Park.’
"For him to say it never gets dark at Kielty Park - that just put me over the edge so for that pitch to be named after him, it puts a big smile on everybody’s face in the family."
Death of Eddie McKay
The aforementioned Eddie McKay had a huge influence on Kielty and was the first person to play him in goal. He sadly passed last month.
The legendary goalkeeper was part of the Down team that brought the Sam Maguire north of the border for the first time in 1960 after they defeated Kerry in the final, with another All-Ireland triumph coming for the Mourne Men the following year when they beat Offaly at Croke Park.
Paying tribute, the Dundrum club said: "Eddie's connection to Dundrum GAC is long and storied. His contribution on and off the field was immense. A leading light, he will go down as one of the greats of Down football. Our club and county have lost a hero that inspired generations of footballers. His achievements were legendary.
"To his family and friends, Dundrum GAC express their deepest sympathy to you all."
Emotional last minute surprise
Kielty was left stunned by a last-minute surprise on The Late Late Show's GAA special back in April when his minor All-Ireland-winning teammates brought the Sam Maguire Cup into studio.
A shocked Kielty said: "No way, no way! ". He explained to the audience: "I've been told there is a change of plans, this is not in the script. I knew something was up and didn't know what was up. This is a surprise, it says to read the autocue, Paddy, that's what they are telling me to do.
He added: "You may have heard me mention at least five times tonight, I do have an All-Ireland medal, yes I was a sub-goalie on the glorious Football Championship-winning Down minor team of 1987 and some of that team are here tonight."
The 52-year-old hugged his old pals and said: "How did this happen tonight?" with Raphael Haughian replying: "Well Paddy for years Dermot Hawkins and us were your heroes - now you're our hero."
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
