Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TRIBUTES PAID TO MCCAGUE
TRIBUTES have poured in following the death of former GAA president Seán Mccague at the age of 77.
Monaghan man Mccague was one of the most important and influential presidents in the history of the GAA.
His own playing days were cut short by a back injury. He would take up the whistle as a referee but it was as a manager and administrator that Mccague was most influential.
He took his local club Scotstown to a first Monaghan Championship in 13 years in 1974.
That put him in the frame for the
Monaghan job and he ended up managing them to three Ulster titles and a League.
His first Ulster title as manager – in 1979 – was Monaghan’s first in 41 years.
Mccague was brought on board by manager Eugene Mcgee with the Ireland International Rules team, acting as assistant manager for the Tests with Australia in 1987 and 1990.
One of Mccague’s greatest players Eugene ‘Nudie’ Hughes’ (inset) says he will never be forgotten.
“It’s a very sad day for Monaghan GAA but his legacy will live on,’’ said Hughes.
“He created a legacy from 1979 onwards, and we only lost one game in each of three Leagues in a row, as well as the Ulster titles.
“In 1985, he took us to a double of the League and Ulster Championship.
“He did so much for Monaghan. We’ll never forget him.”
The GAA, at all levels, was a passion of the Scotstown man and it was no surprise when he moved from coaching and management into administration.
Mccague was secretary of the Monaghan County Board for a spell, and also operated as a delegate to both the Ulster Council and the GAA’S Central Council.
But it was his role as chairman of the Games Administration Committee in 1991 that really pushed him into the limelight.
On Mccague’s watch, discipline was greatly tightened – that often didn’t go down well. Indeed, Mccague used to joke his chairing of the GAC ensured he could never be GAA President.
He was wrong, though. At the second attempt, he was elected to the GAA’S highest office at Annual Congress in 1999.
At the time, Rule 21 – which prevented members of the British security services, including police officers in the north, from GAA activities – was still in place.
With the Good Friday Agreement having been put in place in 1998, Mccague was determined that the GAA make a big statement in line with the changing times.
He was faced with a lot of opposition in his own province, but Mccague was the driving force in consigning Rule 21 to history.
On Mccague’s watch, more government funding was secured for the redevelopment of Croke Park and he oversaw the introduction of qualifiers in the All-ireland football Championship.
GAA President Larry Mccarthy paid tribute.
“Seán was an astute leader at a time when the organisation benefited greatly from his wisdom, experience and undoubted influence,’’ he said.
“He left an indelible mark on our games and the GAA as we know it today.”