Profile: Paddy Bracken
Paddy Bracken was one of those Portlaoise footballers who
blazed the trail for the club in the 1950s when championship
wins were scarce and in the 1960s when winning became more
fashionable
Rocky Scully was a prominent player and official over the years.
He was a fine hurler who won underage county titles with Portlaoise and represented Laois at minor level.
Roc’s family all have strong connection with the town.
His father, Paddy, was one of officials who helped reform the club in 1949.
His hairdressing salon was always a great meeting point for GAA supporters and was known as the GAA Barbers. Club notices were placed in a window of the premises at Main Street and this was the chief method of club communication at the time.
At his funeral in 2004 Parish priest Fr. John Byrne, receiving Rocky’s remains in SS Peter and Paul’s Church, noted that his death marked the end of a chapter in the history of Portlaoise. A chapter that encompassed almost a century: the length of time that PJ Scully’s Gentlemen’s Hairdressing Salon was in business – a business that Rocky’s father, Paddy Scully, established. It drew customers not only from the town and environs, but from many parts of the country and beyond. And it was much more than a barber shop. It was a place where the old stock, and the not so old stock gathered for a chat and the craic. Newspapers were perused there, racing form studied, crosswords solved, GAA matches analysed, great characters recalled. On the walls were evocative photographs of the 1915 All-Ireland winning Laois senior hurlers, of the 1949 beaten All-Ireland finalists, of the 1958 Portlaoise senior footballers. Rocky was a genial host, with a smile for everybody, with the ability to talk to all age groups and classes. He will be sadly missed.
More Club History To Explore
Bill Phelan – A Tribute
Bill and I soldiered together through most of our lives. Of the same age we went through the CBS to Leaving Cert in the same classes and had similar interests especially regarding GAA. The games were an important part of school life with Bro. O’Mahoney taking a particularly keen interest in preparing us for competitions.
Profile: Joe Phelan
Joe Phelan was one of the finest hurling players of his generation. He was a fine dual player for the club but hurling was the sport in which he shone.
