Tributes paid as former county champion co-driver Paul McGlinchey laid to rest
The tight-know communities of Lisselton and Ballydonoghue were plunged into sadness this week following the sudden passing of Paul McGlinchey on July 15.
The 37-year-old was laid to rest on Monday in Gale Cemetery following Requiem Mass at St. Teresa’s Church, Ballydonoghue.
Born in Tyrone, he moved to North Kerry at five years of age with his family. He was predeceased by his father, James.
Paul was well-known and a respected and talented rally co-driver across Kerry and the West Coast.
Just two weeks prior to his passing, he won the Donal O’Flaherty Memorial Trophy, awarded to the highest place Kerry Motor Club crew on the event, alongside Tommy Mason at the Kerry Summer Rally
The partnership also secured the County Championship title in 2024 and they won the award for the top Kerry Motor Club crew at the 2025 Circuit of Kerry.
Over his career, Paul competed for many years alongside his Lisselton neighbour Eddie Kennelly, with the pair earning Top Part West Coast Rally Championship honours in 2022. In 2024, he also navigated Sean Og Scanlon to Class 2A victory in the Top Part West Coast Championship in a Honda Civic.
Symbols brought to the altar reflecting his life included his rally helmet, pace note book, stopwatch, a spanner, and a Lego model car.
During the service, the congregation heard how he was a gifted mechanic who was always willing to help others, with a talent for fixing things where others had failed.
In her eulogy, his sister Julie spoke of her “wee brother” and his passion for the sport, “the tarmac was his playground.”
She spoke of his love for his fiancée Sonya and his three dogs, as well as his sense of humour.
Speaking on mental health, she urged those present to seek support, telling the packed church that “there is always help there, but it takes a lot of bravery to seek that help, but please have the conversations.”
Members of Kerry Motor Club and neighbouring clubs turned out in large numbers to show their support.
Eddie Kennelly drove the hearse carrying his co-driver and friend, while three local rally cars led the cortege.
Members of Kerry Motor Club provided a guard of honour and signed out the road from the church to the cemetery in rally stage style, providing a fitting final tribute.
He is survived by his mother Margaret, sister Julie, fiancée Sonya, extended family, and friends. Donations in his memory were made to Listowel Fire Brigade Unit.
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