If you’re named for our patron saint, then you share that honour with these sporting heroes
If you’re in between pints or building up the courage to throw your afternoon kebab at a parade float, take some time to appreciate the best Paddys from around the sporting world.
Paddy Barnes
Paddy Barnes could arguably be our favourite sporting Paddy, with the barrel-load of medals he’s brought to the country.
As well as that, the man’s Twitter game is strong.
Here @MannyPacquiao and your mate @FloydMayweather I hope yas both get food poisoning week before the fight yas dirty shites! #imjealous
— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) February 23, 2015
Patrick Vieira
Arsenal fans worshipped the ground he walked on, United fans seethe at the sight of him and Manchester City fans don’t quite know how to feel about the whole thing.
He played his part in one of the greatest player versus player feuds against Roy Keane and United versus Arsenal wouldn’t be as compelling a rivalry without ol’ Paddy V.
Paddy Holohan
For fear of getting choked unconscious, we had to include The Hooligan on this list.
The 11-1-1 flyweight is part of the very legitimate Irish takeover of the UFC and could find himself in the top 15 of the division by the end of the year.
Padraig Harrington
It’s still only March but we’re pretty sure that we’ve got our favourite golf moment of the year courtesy of Padraig Harrington.
Only two weeks ago, Páidí ended a six-year wait for a PGA Tour victory by claiming the Honda Classic title with this play-off triumph.
The shot that earned Padraig Harrington @TheHondaClassic title. #QuickHits https://t.co/3c82Scv98V — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 2, 2015
Patrick Kluivert
Undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers to come out of the Netherlands, Pat Kluivert scored some epic goals in a 14-year career that took him to Ajax, Milan, Barcelona and, least memorably, Newcastle.
He also picks ridiculously attacking five-a-side teams.
Podge Collins
Hurling, football, he’d probably throw a pair of boxing gloves on for you if you asked him nicely.
A prodigious dual player, Collins has chosen to focus on his football after returning to full fitness.
Pat Barry
You’d be hard pressed to find a friendlier heavyweight in the history of mixed martial arts than Pat HD Barry.
He’s a lot more memorable than his 8-7 MMA record would suggest and hit as hard as anyone to ever step foot in the octagon.
Packie Bonner
Daniel Timofte. Romania. 1990 World Cup. That is all.
Paddy Jackson
With out-halves like Johnny Sexton and Ian Madigan at Joe Schmidt’s disposal, it was always going to be difficult for Ulster’s Paddy Jackson to catch a break but we must remember he’s still just 23 years old and his game could come on leaps in bounds in the coming years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGn2EiQA99s
Pat Murray
You don’t get many Pats in the NFL but Mr Murray clearly got the kicking knack from uncles Ciaran and Brendan, both of whom played Gaelic football for Monaghan.
Murray is using his boot in much warmer surroundings though, as the placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Patrice Evra
Bit of a stretch here but go with it. A Pat is a Pat.
Former United left-back, and co-founder of the “We hate Luis Suarez” brigade alongside Branislav Ivanovic and Giorgio Chiellini, Evra is currently plying his trade for Juventus but he earned his place on this list with over 270 appearances for Manchester United.
Pat Jennings
Who has appeared most times for Northern Ireland? Why it’s Spurs legend Pat Jennings of course.
With a whopping 119 caps to his name and one heck of a hairdo, he was never going to miss out on this list. Plus, he has a goal against Manchester United to his name.
Páidí Ó Sé
It takes just the ten All-Irelands to get a bit of recognition these days.
Kerry legend Ó Sé secured eight as a player for The Kingdom between the 70s and 80s before providing a further two as manager in the 1990s.
Pat Rice
If you’re an Arsenal fan, it must be very bloody weird for Pat Rice not to be a part of the club anymore.
Former Northern Ireland international Rice gave more than 40 years of service to the Gunners between playing and coaching so was part of the furniture at the Emirates until his departure in 2012.
Pádraic Maher
If for no either reason than this vine, Tipp defender Maher deserves his place here.
Patrick Ewing
If you’re good enough for the NBA Hall of Fame then you’re good enough for SportsJOE.
Paddy Johns
We could all do with a little more Paddy Johns in our lives.
The lock scored four tries in his 59 caps for Ireland between 1990 and 2000 and, if you’re looking for an autograph, you could always feign a toothache and visit the surgery of the qualified dentist.
Pat Spillane
He might divide opinion as an analyst never more than a breath away from controversial comment but there’s no denying that he’s one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Spillane has nine All-Stars to his name, something unmatched by any other footballer, before he ventured into the realm of irksome punditry.
Pat Rafter
Rafter in his heyday was one of the most exciting tennis players to watch and, with a toss-up between himself and Pat Cash, we’ve opted to include the former world number 1.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Not only does the Inchicore club have Patrick in its name, it’s also got the bloody “Saint” bit.
Founded in 1929, it’s one of the most popular clubs in all of Ireland and we’d look like proper fools if we didn’t include it here.
