Clara GAA hails contribution of legendary figure

Clara GAA has paid tribute to the late Michael Sheridan, who gave a lifetime of service to the club in various capacities.

Michael served as club chairman for almost a quarter of a century in his second stint in the role, having also won two senior championship medals with the club as a player. But it is as an administrator that Michael is probably best known.

Also known as Mick, he was very well known as an influential and outspoken contributor to Offaly County Board meetings and he also served as Offaly GAA treasurer.

Michael Sheridan of Church Street, Clara died peacefully on February 14 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Pre-deceased by his parents Peter and Mary-Joe and brother John. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Angela, daughters Elaine and Dorothy, son Peter, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, Caomhan, Caitlin, Colm, Ciaran, Clodagh, Ailbe, Caragh, and Conor, great-grandchildren Cadha and Lucas, sons-in-law Mel and Paul, daughter-in-law Karen, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours, relatives and friends

Michael's remains will be reposing at his residence tomorrow (Tuesday) from 3pm until 8pm. Removal on Wednesday to St Brigid's Church, Clara for 11am Funeral Mass. Burial afterwards in the Monastery Cemetery, Clara.

"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," Clara GAA's Padraig O'Meara posted online.

"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 1980s and early 1990s.

“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 three senior positions - secretary (1983-1984), treasurer (1970-1981) and chairman (1985 and 1989-2013).

“In his tenure we won four senior football titles, two junior football titles and a Leinster junior title, three under-21 football titles, five minor 'A' football titles, four under-16 'A' football titles, three under-14 'A' football titles, two under-12 'A' football titles, an intermediate hurling title and a junior 'A' hurling title along with numerous underage 'B' championships in hurling and numerous adult league football titles to name a few. The 1990s was without a doubt our most successful period, winning a total of 25 championships, 18 in football and seven in hurling.

"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 inter-county 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 four years later with our second in 1964. He also refereed every grade of football and hurling within the county; the highlights were refereeing the 1972 senior football final and two senior hurling finals in the late '70s and early '80s," continued the club tribute.

"Michael was an avid Scór and Scór na nÓg enthusiast and had overseen the club winning 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 three 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 did 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.

"All Clara GAA Club activities are suspended for the coming week as a mark of respect. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."