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Offaly GAA Stunned At Sudden Death Of Long Serving Official

Thursday, 10 February 2011

THE Offaly GAA world was plunged into mourning with the sudden death of one of its best loved members and a long serving official on Saturday last.
Kilcormac man, Mick Spain died suddenly on Saturday last and news of his death was greeted with great sadness by the many people who knew and admired him.
73 years of age, Mick Spain was one of Offaly's best known GAA people. He was one of the top referees in the country during his long refereeing career and he was the Offaly GAA County Board's long serving Central Council delegate.
A genuinely nice, decent and friendly man, Mick Spain had a gentle manner that endeared him to everyone he met.
He was a hugely popular man and he gave a life time of service to the GAA in a variety of capacities. A loyal servant of the GAA at county and at club level where he served his beloved Kilcormac/Killoughey in every capacity, he had a passionate and consuming interest in our national games.
In his younger days, he made his mark and name as a brilliant referee. He was equally efficient in both football and hurling and refereed a huge number of high profile games in both codes throughout the 1970s.
The pinnacle of his refereeing career came when he took charge of the 1972 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final between Cork and Kilkenny. That was an eighty minute final which was won by Kilkenny on a huge scoreline of 3-24 to 5-11.
Mick also took charge of a large volume of other high profile games, including: An All-Ireland U-21 football final, three All-Ireland club football finals, one All-Ireland club hurling final, an All-Ireland minor hurling final, two Railway Cup finals, Offaly senior football and hurling finals, senior hurling finals in Tipperary, Westmeath and Clare, an All-Ireland junior football final, and the 1973 National Football League final between Tyrone and New York in Gaelic Park, New York.
His achievements as a referee were recognised a couple of years ago when he was inducted into the hurling referee hall of fame by then GAA president, Nicky Brennan.
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Irish Sports Council, a position he was appointed to by the then Minister for Art, Sport and Tourism, Seamus Brennan a couple of years ago.
As a GAA administrator, the late Mick Spain also made a rich contribution to the GAA at county and club level.
At club level, he was a dedicated and loyal worker who served Kilcormac/Killoughey in most capacities down the years. He formerly served them as chairman, treasurer, County Board delegate and PRO and he was their president at the time of his death. Dependable, he was a familiar figure at games in Kilcormac where he always greeted visitors with a friendly word and smile.
He was a talented hurler in his youth and he represented Offaly at minor, junior, intermediate and senior level.
His refereeing accomplishments brought him to the attention of a national audience while he was also extremely well known as Offaly's long serving Central Council representative. He served in that position for twenty five years from 1981 to 2006, successfully fighting off a couple of challenges in that period.
Mick Spain was a consummate GAA politician who was expert at fighting Offaly's cause at national level. He knew GAA officials from throughout the country, was popular with all the GAA presidents and he knew how the system worked inside out. A brilliant conversationalist, he knew how to get things done.
He served on a number of sub committees at national level and a highlight of his life was serving as a national trustee of the GAA for three years from 1985 to 1988. He also managed All-Stars hurling and football teams on different tours during the 1980s.
He did years of work for the Offaly GAA County Board. Apart from his duties as Central Council representative, he immersed himself in all aspects of GAA life in the county. He stepped down as Central Council delegate in 2006, he was a member of the Offaly GAA Hearings Committee at the time of his death and he acted on several sub committees down the years, including referees and public relations.
A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to Mick Spain before Sunday's Allianz NFL Division 3 encounter between Offaly and Cavan in O'Connor Park, Tullamore, while an Offaly referees Course fixed for Monday night and Tuesday's scheduled monthly meeting of the Offaly County Board were postponed as a mark of respect. A scheduled launch of the Allianz Hurling Leagues in Dublin on Wednesday was also postponed to Thursday to allow GAA officials attend his funeral on Wednesday.
Offaly GAA Chairperson Pat Teehan described Mick Spain as an outstanding man who dedicated his whole life to the Association.
He commented: "Mick Spain's contribution to the GAA at local and national level is immeasurable. He could best be described as an icon of the GAA at all levels, with a lifetime of involvement, as a player, referee, and administrator. A man who always saw the positive side of things, he was a proud Kilcormac/Killoughey clubman who took great pride in his club both on and off the field and was very proud of the facilities which the club provided in Kilcormac and Mountbolus.
‘Mick also gave outstanding service at county and National level, firstly as a referee, where he commanded respect from players and supporters alike and he was justifiably proud of reaching the highest level, being appointed to referee the 1972 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final.'
Mr Teehan added:
‘After his refereeing career ended he went into administration and gave outstanding service to Offaly as Central Council delegate for 25 years, he also served on various sub committees over the years including referees, PR and at the time of his death was a member of the Hearing Committee. His achievement in being elected as Trustee of the Association in the 1980's outlines the standing in which he was held among his peers at National level. On a personal note Mick was a good friend and I will certainly miss his friendly banter and the sensible advice that Mick often imparted to me. He was one of life's gentlemen and his passing has left a void that will not be easily filled, he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. To his wife Maura, sons and daughters his extended family, and many friends goes our deepest sympathy.'
President of the Offaly Association in London, Dermot O'Brien also paid tribute to the late Mick Spain. As the London Central Council delegate, Mr O'Brien worked alongside Mick Spain for years and he said that he always enjoyed meeting the Kilcormac man and the late Tipperary legend, John Doyle after meetings. Mr O'Brien extended his sympathy and that of the Offaly Association to the family of Mick Spain.
Mick is survived by his wife Maura, sons Michael, Seamus, Aidan, Declan and Tony daughters Dolores (Slevin) and Loretta (Doyle). Sincere sympathy is extended to them, all his other family and relations and a wide circle of friends.

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