'A pioneering figure': Former GAA president Liam O'Neill dies aged 70

LAST UPDATE | 4 hrs ago

A “PIONEERING FIGURE” of Gaelic Games administration, Liam O’Neill, who served as the 37th president of the GAA, has passed away at the age of 70.

The Laois native was elected unopposed to the role in April 2011 for a term which ran from 2012 to 2015.

O’Neill’s reign saw Sky Sports enter the GAA TV market, the black card introduced to Gaelic football, and the HawkEye score detection system implemented in Croke Park.

“It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Liam after his recent battle with illness,” said GAA president Jarlath Burns in tribute.

“His wit and wisdom were hallmarks of his presidency, which in many ways was a precursor to the conversations which are commonplace today around integration and inclusion.

“At county level, Liam had been a pioneering figure in the adoption of technology to enhance the governance and organisation of our games and it was on his watch that the Association first embraced the use of HawkEye and the deployment of the black card, via the Football Review Committee, which he established.

“His grá for education, especially through the medium of Irish in Trumera, complemented his passion for our games and culture and his contribution to the GAA in so many guises was hugely significant.

“At this time, we think of his wife Áine, children Caoimhe, Ciarán and Clíodhna, and extend our sympathies to his wider family and circle of friends and admirers.”

During his term, O’Neill appointed Eugene McGee and Liam Sheedy to oversee key committees reviewing Gaelic football and hurling.

He remained a prominent media figure following his presidency, defending the decision to open up GAA TV rights to competition from pay channels. 

In his closing address to Congress as GAA president, O’Neill took pride in setting “an irreversible course towards total integration” with the Camogie Association and LGFA.

He added: “I first dreamed of being president of the GAA at the age of eight. This boy’s dream has now come to a conclusion some 50 years later. I have indeed lived my dream.”

O’Neill previously volunteered as chair of his club, Trumera, UCD, and the Leinster Council, while he also operated as Laois GAA secretary. He first challenged for the GAA presidency in 2008, a vote won by Cork’s Christy Cooney.

He worked as principal of Gaelscoil Throimera until his retirement in 2018.

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Tributes

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of O’Neill’s death and extended his sympathies to all his family and friends. 

“Liam was hugely passionate about the development of Gaelic Games, his community and Laois. He has left a lasting impact on Irish sport,” he said.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said O’Neill dedicated his life to GAA, education, public service and to his “beloved county of Laois”.

“As President of the GAA, he led with integrity, decency and a deep love for the Association, always recognising that its greatest strength lies in the volunteers, clubs and communities that underpin it.”

Harris said that he always enjoyed meeting and chatting with him in Croke Park, where he displayed “a warm and thoughtful manner and a deep knowledge of the games he loved so dearly”.

“At this sad time, my thoughts are with Liam’s wife Áine, his children, his wider family, his friends, his club in Trumera, the people of Laois and the entire GAA family. May they find comfort in the enormous respect and affection in which Liam was held.”

Camogie Association president Brian Molloy said: “Liam O’Neill devoted a lifetime to the service of Gaelic games. 

“As uachtarán of the GAA, he provided outstanding leadership to our games, and in more recent years he continued to give generously of his time and wisdom as a trustee and member of Ard Chomhairle of the Camogie Association. His counsel and unwavering commitment to our game were deeply valued.

“Liam was a true Gael who believed passionately in the power of our games to strengthen communities and enrich lives.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” 

Laois GAA chairperson PJ Kelly said O’Neill was “one of the Association’s greatest servants and a proud son of County Laois”.

“Liam was one of the greatest ambassadors Laois has ever produced. His service to the GAA, culminating in his term as Uachtarán CLG, inspired generations of volunteers both within our county and across the association,” he said.

“We are immensely proud of all that he achieved and deeply grateful for the legacy he leaves behind. On behalf of Laois GAA, we extend our sincere sympathies to his family, friends, club colleagues and all who mourn his passing.” 

Written by Stephen Barry and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.