Paddy Cullen’s wife, Ann, and their children maintained a private life despite his sporting fame.
Highlights
- Paddy was married to Ann Cullen, and they maintained a private family life while supporting each other through his sporting and professional career.
- The couple had three children – Liz, Anthony, and Andrew – and came from large families themselves, with Paddy being one of ten children born to Jim Cullen and Elizabeth Kennedy.
- After his sporting career, Cullen worked as an electrician and publican, embodying a down-to-earth approach to life that extended beyond his celebrated achievements in Gaelic football.
Born on 18 October 1944 in Stoneybatter and raised in the North Wall area of Dublin, Cullen’s sporting journey began early.
Introduced to Gaelic football by the Christian Brothers at St Laurence O’Toole National School, he quickly demonstrated exceptional talent.
Cullen’s versatility was evident from his youth, where he excelled both in Gaelic football and soccer, even developing a reputation as a fine soccer goalkeeper in local street leagues.
His senior inter-county debut came in 1966, and he soon became Dublin’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cullen achieved remarkable success, winning three All-Ireland medals, six Leinster titles, two National Football League medals, and four All-Star awards.
His most memorable moment came in the 1974 All-Ireland final, where his penalty save from Liam Sammon became an iconic moment in Dublin GAA history.
Paddy Cullen’s Wife, Ann, And Their Children Mourn His Passing Alongside The Sporting Community
Paddy Cullen was married to Ann Cullen, a supportive partner throughout his sporting and professional journey. 3
The couple had three children: Liz, Anthony, and Andrew.
While details about Ann remain limited, she stood by Cullen during his celebrated career and subsequent management role with Dublin’s team from 1990 to 1992.
The family maintains a private life, deliberately staying away from the public spotlight despite Paddy’s sporting fame.
Cullen came from a large family himself, being one of ten children born to Jim Cullen, a carpenter from Wexford, and Elizabeth Kennedy.
Growing up in a flat on Buckingham Street and later in Seville Place, Cullen represented the quintessential inner-city Dublin sportsman.
After retiring as a player, Cullen transitioned into team management, guiding Dublin to Leinster and National Football League titles.
He worked for many years as an electrician before becoming a successful publican, running a bar in Ballsbridge.
Throughout his life, Cullen maintained a down-to-earth attitude, often emphasizing that while football was important, life extended beyond the playing field.
Paddy Cullen passed away on 6 February 2025 after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy that transcended sports.
Dublin GAA and the broader sporting community remembered him as a remarkable goalkeeper and a gentleman who embodied the spirit of Dublin football.
His wife Ann, children Liz, Anthony, and Andrew, along with his extensive network of friends and former teammates, mourned the loss of this extraordinary sporting icon.
Cullen’s impact was perhaps best summarized by Dublin County Board Chairman Ken O’Sullivan, who described him as,
“not only a giant of Dublin GAA… but also an inspiration to so many that would follow in his footsteps.”
Via dublingaa.ie
The sporting world, and Dublin in particular, will forever remember Paddy Cullen as a true sporting legend who represented the best of Gaelic football during a golden era of the game.
Additional Information
- Cullen was one of only two players from Dublin’s inner-city area (between the canals) to play Championship football for Dublin in 60 years, despite the area having a population of around 120,000.
- Before his Gaelic football career, Cullen played soccer and even wore the Manchester United shirt in a friendly match in 1977, guesting as a goalkeeper for a United 11.
- When managing Dublin, Cullen was offered the job spontaneously by Jim King at the Listowel Races in 1990, despite having no prior senior management experience and without formally applying for the position.
