A new mural has been unveiled to commemorate the tragic death of Paddy McCabe in the aftermath of a Loyalist bomb that exploded in the town in 1972.
The mural entitled 'Ulster GAA comes together at Clones’, tells the story of that faithful day on the 28th of December 1972.
Clones has been the home to GAA Ulster Football Finals for 80 years and that association is used to commemorate the tragic death of Paddy McCabe in the aftermath of the Loyalist bomb that exploded at the spot that it detonated at. Paddy McCabe from O’Neill Park, was one of those who came to assist in the clear-up operation after the explosion.
He was working on the roof of the building that was damaged by the bomb when he had a fall that resulted in his death. Paddy left behind his beloved wife, Vera and eight small children, the eldest aged just 12.
The mural depicts Fermanagh Street on a big match day. In the foreground there are 8 county representatives wearing jerseys from Cavan, Antrim, Derry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Down and Armagh, representing players and supporters from across Ulster.
The familiar big match Fermanagh Street crowd is in the background and in the middle is the Monaghan number 5, worn with pride for many years by Karl O’Connell of Tyholland. Paddy McCabe was Karl’s grandfather, his mother is Patricia, second eldest of Paddy’s children. The numbers on the jerseys are 28121972, the date of the bombing. The association of Clones, Ulster GAA, Fermanagh St and the McCabe family are bought together to remember Paddy McCabe at the place of his tragic death.
