Pádraig Coyne excelled at football from an early age not only in goal but also outfield. Living on the Mayo border of Milltown, he attended St Colman's College, Claremorris. He enjoyed much success there winning Connacht titles at First Year, Juvenile and Junior levels before going on to win at Senior level also, defeating close rivals St. Jarlath's College, Tuam in the 1977 final. Centering the defence at full-back, Coyne played an integral role in helping Colman's to go on to the Hogan Cup final. There they met Carmelite College, Moate. Colman's managed to edge the win 1-11 to 1-10, securing their first and only to date Hogan Cup win.
Inter-County
Minor and Under-21
Coyne first appeared on the Galway scene as a sixteen year old minor in 1976. Galway walked their way through the Connacht Minor Final, defeating Sligo 6-16 to 3-3. In the All-Ireland final, Galway met Cork in the final whom they defeated 1-10 to 0-6. His second season with the minor team wasn't as successful however with Galway failing even to reach the Connacht final. His third and final season in 1978 ended in more disappointment with Galway being defeated by Mayo in the Connacht final 2-6 to 0-4 as Coyne played at full-back. Coyne won a Connacht Under-21 Football Championship medal in 1981 when Galway beat Mayo 0-9 to 0-8. Galway would reach the All-Ireland final facing Cork, drawing 0-14 to 2-8. The final would be a memorable one for Coyne however as he became the first goalkeeper to score a goal in an All-Ireland final, converting from the penalty spot. Injuries plagued Galway in the replay however with the Rebels running out winners 2-9 to 1-6.
Senior
Coyne joined the Galway senior panel at the early age of nineteen. He soon found success picking up a National Football League for the 1980-81 season with Galway overcoming Roscommon in an all-Connacht final. His first Connacht Senior Football Championship win came the following year when Galway beat Mayo 3-17 to 0-10 in the 1982 final. Galway would be beaten by eventual champions Offaly in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. Coyne won his second Connacht Senior medal the following year with Galway beating Mayo again 1-13 to 1-10. Galway would go on to reach the 1983 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final but would go down to Dublin's "Dirty Dozen" in the infamous "Game of Shame". Galway had one player sent off while Dublin had three dismissed, a record for an All-Ireland Final. The game was even more forgettable for Coyne as he was famously lobbed by Barney Rock from forty yards out as Dublin won 1-10 to 1-8. It was Coyne's last championship game for Galway. Coyne would later play for the Galway Junior team, winning an All-Ireland Junior Football Championship in 1985, completing a unique record of playing in an All-Ireland final at every grade for his county. Pádraig Coyne has also represented Connacht in the Railway Cup.
Club
Coyne made his senior championship debut for Milltown in 1977. His biggest success with the club came in 1981 when the North Galway side defeated St. Grellan's of Ballinasloe in the Galway Senior Football Championship final. Coyne played in three other county finals for Milltown in 1978, 1986 and 1987 but ended up on the losing side in each. He made his final championship appearance for Milltown in 1992 making 34 appearances in that time.
