Paddy Grace

Patrick Grace (3 August 1917 – 21 July 1984) was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Kilkenny senior team.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Grace won one Railway Cup medals.

Threecastles, who were appearing in their first decider in thirty-five years, were the opponents, however, a 3-2 to 2-3 victory gave Grace his third championship medal.

[3][4] Grace added a county football championship medal to his collection in 1948 as St. Paul's defeated Conahy Sarsfields by 1-7 to 0-4 in a replay.

Grace made his senior debut in a 1-3 to 5-4 National Hurling League group stage defeat by Limerick on 3 April 1938.

The subsequent All-Ireland final with Cork on 3 September 1939 is regarded as one of the most famous championship deciders of all-time.

Willie Campbell landed a long-range free in the net for an equalizing goal for Cork and a draw looked likely.

Terry Leahy doubled on a Paddy Phelan 70-yard free to secure the winning point for Kilkenny on the stroke of full-time.

The All-Ireland decider on 1 September 1940 brought Kilkenny and Limerick together for the last great game between the two outstanding teams of the decade.

Early in the second-half Kilkenny took a four-point lead, however, once captain Mick Mackey was deployed at midfield he proceeded to dominate the game.

Jim Langton and Terry Leahy spearheaded the Kilkenny attack, while Mossy O'Riordan and Joe Kelly scored goals for Cork that nearly won the game.

Grace was a regular on the Leinster inter-provincial team for almost a decade, however, it was a largely unsuccessful period for the eastern province.

Grace's dissatisfaction regarding player welfare saw him challenge for the position of county board secretary in late 1947.