GAA community mourns death of former president

Former GAA president Paddy Mac Flynn has passed away, it was announced today.

Mac Flynn, originally from Magherafelt, Co Derry, served as president of the association from 1979 to 1982, during the hunger strikes period.

He was heavily involved in the GAA scene in Derry and also Down, where he moved to pursue a teaching career - later serving as President of the Down County Board.

His remains will repose at Gilford home from 3pm today.

His funeral will leave his home on Friday at 1.30pm for 2pm Mass in St Patrick's and St Colman's Church Laurencetown, with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

"It is with deep sadness that Down GAA has learned of the death of our esteemed and much loved Uachtarán Paddy Mac Flynn," a statement from Down GAA read.

"Paddy was a tremendous servant to the GAA. From his earliest days as a founding member of O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club in Magherafelt, to his last attendance at a meeting of Coiste Banisti in Down on April 29 this year.

"Indeed at that meeting which had been called to discuss the proposed football review within Down, Paddy informed the members that ‘this was a massive job and the county would have to deliver on this task'.

"Profound words indeed from a man who always delivered on the tasks at hand.

"A man who first came to Down as an administrator back in 1949 and served on East and South Down boards, was treasurer of the County Committee from 1955 to 1973 and Central Council and Ulster Council delegate for many years.

"It was indeed a very proud moment when Paddy was elected Uachtarán of Cumann Luthchleas Gael in 1979.

"His leadership in that period ensured that the GAA continued to grow and develop as the biggest amateur sporting organisation in this country and beyond.

"We in Down have been privileged to have had a leader like Paddy MacFlynn in our midst, to have worked with him and learned from him has been a wonderful education.

"We are the richer for having had his presence amongst us."

Seamus Walsh, chairman of Down GAA, stated: "Paddy was an iconic figure in the world of GAA, a man who had held the top position in our organisation yet was always happiest when meeting and greeting people of all ages at club and county matches.

"He was a wise counsellor to all inside and outside of meetings and he will be greatly missed by all in Down GAA.'