‘We’re just a good match’ says Paddy and Teresa

LOCAL couple Paddy Kavanagh and Teresa Phelan celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their friends and family in Thomas Davis’ GAA Club in Kiltipper last week.

Paddy is a well-known figure in Tallaght as he’s been involved in Thomas Davis throughout his life and he was the first Mayor of Tallaght in 1984.

The Newtown Park native’s successful campaign to become mayor was bolstered by his wife Teresa, originally from Crumlin, as she was the driving force behind his successful run for public office.

The couple’s love story began when they met in Doyle’s Dance Hall in Tallaght village in the late 1950s. They got married on June 10, 1962.

Shortly thereafter, the couple started their family and went on to have seven children – six daughters and one son – and more recently became grandparents of 11 children, and great-grandparents of two.

As their family grew, Paddy maintained his involvement in Thomas Davis and he played in full-back position on the Intermediate team that won the Intermediate League and took Thomas Davis to Senior status in 1974.

Alice and Liam McGrath, Francie and Mary Kavanagh, with Paddy and Teresa in Thomas Davis GAA Club

Paddy was the chairperson of the club for a period of three years and was also chairperson of the camogie section. He was the club’s county board representative for five years.

He was on the club’s committee for 18 consecutive years, and he headed up the darts section for the club while Teresa was heavily involved in the club’s women’s pitch and putt team.

All of the couple’s children and grandchildren followed in their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps through their involvement in sport, and they have all played for Thomas Davis.

The couple, who now live in Balrothery, have built a happy life together since they got married 60 years ago and Paddy was effusive when asked what the secret to a long and happy marriage is.

“We’re just a good match,” he told The Echo. “You either meet the right one or meet the wrong one – a person should know.

“We just hit it off when we met. We have a great life together. We’ve always stood by each other, whether we were right or wrong. We’ve always been loyal to each other.”

When asked if the couple are still as in love now as they were when they said their vows 60 years ago, Patrick didn’t hesitate to say they were – adding that they’re as besotted with each other as they were when they first met in the dance hall in 1959.