Tributes Paid Following Passing Of One Of 'Offaly GAA's Greatest Administrators'

Michael Sheridan passed away this morning following a battle with illness.

Tributes are being paid this evening following the passing of one of the great administrators of gaelic games in the region. 

Michael Sheridan spent 11-years as treasurer of Offaly GAA and longer again involved with his local club Clara. 

He passed away earlier this morning following a battle with illness.

Former All-Ireland Hurling Final referee and Clara clubman Brian Gavin paid a fitting tribute to him:

Clara GAA posted the following statement to their Facebook page: 

It is with great regret and sadness that we hear of the passing of Michael Sheridan. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family earlier today.

Michael stepped down as Cathaoirleach of Clara GAA club in 2012 after a 24 year spell as chairman. This was his second spell in the chair having previously held the post for a year in 1985. In addition to this he served as treasurer of the Offaly County board for an 11 year period during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. He has given a lifetime of service to Gaelic games in Clara and Offaly. Michael brought passion, desire and great dedication and loyalty to his beloved Club. Michael has a unique record as being the only member of our club to serve in all 3 senior positions secretary (1983-1984), treasurer (1970-1981) and chairman (1985 and 1989-2013). In his tenure we won four senior football titles, 2 junior football titles and a Leinster junior title, 3 under 21 football titles, 5 minor A football titles, 4 under 16 A football titles, 3 under 14 A football titles, 2 under 12 A football titles, an intermediate hurling title and a junior A hurling title along with numerous under age B championships in hurling and numerous adult league football titles to name a few. The 1990’s was without a doubt our most successful period winning a total of 25 championships, 18 in football and 7 in hurling of these 15 were underage and 10 adults.

He represented our club as a player, referee and long serving officer for over 50 years. Michael played every grade of football and hurling with the Club and played on successful Goodbody’s teams. He also played every grade of intercounty football wearing the green, white and gold of Offaly. He played with Clara when we won the Intermediate football championship in 1956, he went on to help win our first senior football title in 1960 and followed up 4 years later with our second in 1964. He also refereed every grade of football and hurling within the County, the highlights were to referee the 1972 senior football final and two senior hurling finals in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Michael was an avid Scór and Scór na nÓg enthusiast and had over seen the club win many titles in various disciplines in his chairmanship. There was no prouder man in Clara when the Clara Ballad group brought back numerous Leinster titles and 3 All Ireland titles. He supported, travelled and brought Scór and Scór na nÓg participants the length and breadth of the county and indeed the country for many years.

Michael was a fitter learning his trade through Goodbody’s, he could turn his hand to anything and was always on call for plumbing , electrical or any mechanical problems that arose in the Club. Michael done an untold amount of work in all the Club's facilities before, during and after his Chairmanship. He had overseen major development during his tenure and took great pride in the facilities that our children and grandchildren will thrive in and enjoy for many years to come. His understanding of the Gaelic Athletic Associations rules, guidelines, laws and byelaws was unquestionable. Michael had many exceptional, and unique, qualities. One that was frequently noted was his phenomenal memory, especially for names and faces. This, of course, reflected a very fine brain, but also a tremendous interest in people. Michael respected everybody, wanted to know their names, their background, and function. Once told, never forgotten. Once introduced, Michael put a name to the face and stored it neatly in his memory vault. Michael had vision, courage, knowledge, eloquence, and know-how and many other qualities besides. He was a lovable character and a person that you just couldn’t fall out with.

Michael will be sadly missed and very fondly remembered by all his friends at Clara GAA Club. His legacy as the Chief of Clara GAA Club will be forever written into the history books of the Club he so dearly loved.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s wife Angela, son Peter, daughters Dorothy and Elaine, his grandchildren and great grandchild.

Funeral arrangements will be made later. All Clara GAA Club activities are suspended for the coming week as a mark of respect.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis"