Meet the Magpies - Paschal Russell
This lighthearted profile was originally conducted by Neville O'Halloran in June, 2013 as part of the 'Meet the Magpies' series in Clarecastle GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football's weekly ezine newsletter, the Maggiezine.
Meet the Magpies: Paschal Russell
Paschal Russell is a legendary figure that certainly needs no introduction and it's just as well really because there isn't enough space in this weekly ezine to fully encapsulate a playing career that in his mind at least, is still ongoing.
For anyone that has a fortnight to spare, the first volume of his autobiography or the 'History of the GAA' as it's become known will soon be weighing down shelves in a bookshop near you with an opening line of 'Unfortunately I was working the day Mickey Cusack and the boys gathered at Hayes Hotel in 1884'. However, for the purposes of this interview, Neville was determined to distinguish fact from mythical fiction.
You see, there are many stories told about Paschal that require verification. For instance, it is said that Paschal taught Setanta how to hurl but he then almost prevented the Irish mythological hero from becoming Cúchulainn as he refused to pass him the ball when the dog attacked Setanta.
What is certainly true is that Paschal played at all levels for Clare and is one of Clarecastle's greatest ever players, a fact that is proven when you consider he had the unique distinction of playing senior hurling for the Magpies in four different decades and wanting to play for four more. 'Bulger' won senior championships in three of those decades in 1970, '86, '87, and finally in '91 at the tender age of 43, following 26 years of service to the senior side, spanning a remarkable total of 12 county finals.
In fact, what is more remarkable is that he won his first championship medal (Under 16) in 1962 and his last with a County Junior B Championship title in 1997, an incredibly glittering career that prompted another legendary tale. That is when Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years in 1990, he is said to have enquired 'Please don't tell me Paschal Russell is still playing hurling?'.
Paschal has also won three Clare Cup medals, two National League titles with Clare as well as both Junior A and Intermediate Football Championship crowns.
More than that though, it's his unquenchable enthusiasm for the GAA and in particular the Magpies that makes him such a unique clubman as he has served in every administrative position in the club including a lengthy term as chairman while on the field, he has had numerous coaching and managerial roles as well as also becoming a referee (his greatest irony)! Currently, he is developing the next generation of Magpies by coaching in the school while he has also managed the Under 10's in recent seasons.
Away from hurling, Paschal has guided Air Force One into Shannon as an Air Traffic Controller but at home, it is his patient wife Mary that guides him and their four children Jacqueline, David, Brian and Ian as well as two grandchildren Saoirse and Róisín.
During a seven hour lecture this week, Neville did eventually manage to interrupt with the odd question...
Q: Is there anything you'd like to see changed in the club?
A: I would love to see the community row in behind us, in good times and bad.
Q: Who was your first trainer and what was your best memory of him?
A: Gus Considine, who won a Harty Cup with Ennis CBS in 1962, was also our trainer at juvenile (Under 16) level with Donal Carey as manager and we went onto win the County Juvenile Hurling Championship that year which was my first championship medal.
Q: What's your best memory in a Clarecastle jersey?
A: The 1983 Cup Final trilogy against Tubber has particular personal memories and also my first senior championship in the 1970 county final against Crusheen.
Q: Who was your biggest influence?
A: I've had many influences really, good and bad. However, in the early days John Hanly, and Michael Slattery and Ger Ward latterly as mentors.
Q: Did you have any pre-match routines or superstitions?
A: In the Cusack Park dressing rooms, I always tried to sit in the small seat, normally with Fitz [Dermot Fitzgerald] and Higgins [Paul].
Q: When was your inter-county debut?
A: At senior, the 1967/68 season.
Q: Who was the toughest opponent you faced in training at club and county level?
A: I would draw a distinction between tough and dirty. But [John] Callinan was one of them, Ger Loughnane also.
Q: And toughest you played against?
A: Up there with the best of them was Jamsie Keogh of Sixmilebridge and the bould Sylvie Linnane (Galway).
Q: Who do you most admire in the GAA world?
A: On the playing front, currently I would say Henry Shefflin and in days gone by, Jimmy Doyle. However, I also have to say that I admire all the administrators and players of Clarecastle GAA, both past and present.
Q: Who was your childhood hero?
A: Jimmy Doyle of Tipperary and Naoise Jordan (Whitegate and Clare).
Q: If you could choose a player from the past who you feel would most benefit the senior team now, who would you pick?
A: Well, most would pick Paschal Russell but my NEW virtue, modesty, prevents me.
Q: Clarecastle's biggest rivals, who would they be?
A: It used to be Newmarket, now in the new regime, I'd say Clonlara.
Q: Having managed at Under 10 in recent years, name some Magpies to watch out for?
A: Darragh Keogh and John Cullinan, young spade.
Q: Who was the worst person to train?
A: Michael Hegarty, sorry Hego!!
Q: Do you have a nickname?
A: I've had many but most of my life, it's been Bulger or Bulge.
Q: What's the best nickname in the club?
A: There are many but I'd have to say 'Cúl Sock (spelled phonetically) - Johnny Scanlon, the captain of our 1962 Juvenile team and current president, 'Moonlighter' Tom Slattery and 'Gummy' Chris Hanrahan.
Q: Who was the last out of the shower?
A: If there was anyone left after me, he was a 'Peeping Tom'.
Q: Who fancied himself as a 'ladies' man'?
A: All of us in the early days but Eugene Moylan was 'Golden Wonder.'
Q: Who was last to training?
A: Cal [Johnny Callinan], but he had the furthest to travel. I was with him also but I got out of the car quicker. However, 20 rounds of Clareabbey courtesy of Bernie Ryan soon cured us.
Q: Who was the best player you played with outside of Clarecastle?
A: Pudden Cullinan (Newmarket-on-Fergus).
Q: If you could change one thing about the game, what would it be?
A: Get rid of the throw-in at the start of the game and instead toss for puck-out.
Q: Outside of GAA, what other sports did you enjoy?
A: I loved playing rugby (during the odd suspension), soccer and golf.
Q: What's the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: Do your best.
Q: What advice would you give to young Magpies starting out?
A: Learn the basics, practice them thoroughly and correctly and keeping listening.
Q: What was your favourite position?
A: In the beginning, centre field, and when I got patience [laughs], left corner-forward.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the club?
A: Finance and emigration, a lack of work opportunities.
Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
A: Longevity as I won my first championship medal in 1962 and last championship medal in 1997.
Q: Tell us your proudest moment in GAA?
A: Clarecastle winning the Munster Club in 1997 and the Munster Final of 1995.
Q: Finally, is there anything else you would like to share?
A: I'm proud to be a Magpie!
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