Paudie O’Connor: The Basketball Star I Loved
Paudie O’Connor, the charismatic Irishman I fell in love with back in 1972, was already a basketball success in Killarney when I met him.
Paud, as he liked me to call him, fell in love with basketball when he was young. He began practicing his basketball skills along with his brothers at an early age. When we first met, he explained to me how he taught himself to shoot at the net when he was growing up.
In the heart of Killarney stood a modest green space marked by a single timber telegraph pole. It was here that the O'Connor boys created their own basketball court, with young Paudie climbing onto his brothers' shoulders to attach a hoop to the pole. This makeshift court became the training ground where Paudie developed his extraordinary shooting and scoring abilities.
The neighboring parish hall, which housed a proper basketball court, became Paudie's second home. His dedication was legendary—locals recall he even slept with his basketball under the bedcovers, ensuring the scent of the ball would greet him first thing each morning.
Paudie's relationship with basketball transcended mere passion—the game completely captivated him. His level of commitment remains unparalleled, a testament to his singular focus and love for the sport.
When Paud came to visit me in the States in the summer of 1973, he had just returned from Dean Smith’s Carolina Basketball Camp in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he had learned new skills from a coach he so admired. He was eager to return to Killarney and share everything he learned with his teammates.
"Deb, we'll be unstoppable," he said in his sexy Irish accent. "You have no idea how much more advanced de Americans are when it comes to basketball."
I was amazed by his dedication to the sport he loved so well.
I was also amazed by the person Paudie truly was—never boastful, always sweet-natured and kind. He proved to be the ideal boyfriend for someone like me, who had been firmly convinced I wanted nothing to do with romance before meeting him.
I was fortunate that Paudie fell in love with me. Basketball was equally blessed that he loved the sport so deeply.
If you’re interested in more about Paudie O’Connor, follow this link: https://ibb-history.blogspot.com/p/paudie-oconnor-killarney.html
Paudie O’Connor, the charismatic Irishman I fell in love with back in 1972, was already a basketball success in Killarney when I met him.
Paud, as he liked me to call him, fell in love with basketball when he was young. He began practicing his basketball skills along with his brothers at an early age. When we first met, he explained to me how he taught himself to shoot at the net.
There was a single timber telegraph pole near his home where the O'Connor boys created their own basketball court, with Paudie climbing onto his brothers' shoulders to attach a hoop to the pole.
Paudie developed his extraordinary shooting and scoring abilities on this makeshift court that served as his training ground. The proper basketball court in the neighboring parish hall became his second home. Basketball wasn't just a passion for Paudie—it completely captivated him.
When Paud came to visit me in the States in the summer of 1973, he had just returned from Dean Smith’s Carolina Basketball Camp in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he had learned new skills from the famous university coach he so admired. He was eager to return to Killarney and share everything he learned with his teammates.
"Deb, we'll be unstoppable," he said in his sexy Irish accent. "You have no idea how much more advanced de Americans are when it comes to basketball."
I was enthralled by his dedication to the sport he loved so well.
As for his physical appeal, I’ll tell you the truth: Paud was HOT. He was tall - 6'‘4” - with an athlete’s taut, muscular body and the most gorgeous face on the planet. And oh, those soulful blue eyes!
Wherever we went, I was conscious of how lucky I was to be his girlfriend. Every woman we encountered envied me, and I knew it.
When Paudie and I were together, despite his attractiveness to others, he remained completely devoted to me. He made me feel like I was the only woman in the room. He consistently complimented my appearance, intelligence, and company. No other man (aside from my husband) has ever made me feel so valued and cherished.
I was also amazed by the person Paudie truly was—never boastful, always sweet-natured and kind.
He proved to be the ideal boyfriend for someone like me, who had been firmly convinced I wanted nothing to do with romance before meeting him.
Paudie O'Connor had a profound, positive impact on my life.
He taught me to love freely and without restraints, to believe in myself, and to follow my dreams without hesitation. I will always love him.
There is so much more to our love story. You’ll find out more eventually, I promise.
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To learn more about the remarkable Paudie O’Connor (and view a few photos of him), follow this link: https://ibb-history.blogspot.com/p/paudie-oconnor-killarney.html
AUTHOR: Deb Trotter