Tributes paid to former GAA president Joe McDonagh

Tributes have been paid to former GAA president Joe McDonagh who died on Friday after a short illlness aged 63.

The former Galway hurler was president of the GAA from 1997 to 2000.

He was part of the Galway team which won an emotional All-Ireland hurling title in 1980, leading the crowd afterwards in a famous rendition of The West's Awake from the grandstands.

President Michael D. Higgins said “Joe was a giant in the world of Gaelic games, both as a player and a leader in the organisation of the GAA.

“He had an enormous commitment to the Irish language, which he spoke beautifully, and showed great leadership in the development of the language over the course of a long career in the GAA.”

Mr Higgins said: “As the CEO of the VEC, he was also an outstanding educationalist — he made a significant contribution to vocational education, pioneering a number of innovative projects to the benefit of many young people in his country.

“Joe will be sorely missed by his sporting colleagues, his community, and in particular by his very wide range of family and friends. Those of us fortunate enough to know him will never forget this outstanding man and sportsman. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he knew McDonagh well since their college days, adding that his charisma and leadership qualities were clearly in evidence from early on.

“Joe was of course a member of that great Galway Hurling team who ended years of heartbreak for the tribesmen in 1980 and sang the Wests Awake from the Hogan Stand to the supporters on the pitch and around the world,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

“Joe had exquisite Irish and was one of the greatest speakers of our native tongue that I’ve ever heard.

“In rising through the ranks of GAA administration and reaching the heights of Uachtarán CLG Joe focused always on bringing young people with him, giving them the leadership and encouragement they needed.

“Joe isn’t as renowned for his footballing prowess as his hurling but he was equally as adept with the big ball as the small.

“My sincerest sympathies go to his wife Peig and three children at this very sad time.

“He was a proud Ballinderreen man and while his club has lost a champion, Galway has lost a hero.”

Part of his legacy as president of the GAA was pushing for the removal of Rule 21, which had banned members of the British security forces from membership of the GAA and thus from playing Gaelic games.

The rule was eventually dropped in 2001.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross and Minister of State for Sport Patrick O’Donovan also expressed their condolences to McDonagh’s family.

Mr Ross said: “His Presidency over the 1997 to 2000 period was important for our diaspora and led to strengthened networks and communities of Irish people living abroad.”

Mr O’Donovan said: “Joe was a leading light of the GAA in Galway and nationally. He will, no doubt, have taken great pleasure in presenting the Sam Maguire and the Andy Merrigan cups to Galway and Corofin in 1998. He will be sorely missed.”

The news of McDonagh’s death was confirmed by the GAA on Friday evening.

The official GAA Twitter account said: “The death is announced of Joe McDonagh, Uachtarán CLG 1997-2000, after a short illness. Deeply regretted by family, friends and GAA community.”

His predecessor Jack Boothman, who served as president from 1994 to 1997, passed away on May 10th.