ROSCOMMON GAA MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL ‘MICK’ FAHEY

It is with profound sadness that Roscommon GAA has learned of the passing of our former County Chairperson, Michael “Mick” Fahey, a man who gave a lifetime of service to Gaelic games in County Roscommon. 

Mick served as Chairperson of Roscommon GAA from 2011 to 2015, having previously served the county as Public Relations Officer. Throughout his years of service, he brought vision, leadership and a deep commitment to the development of Gaelic games at every level.

His contribution, however, extended far beyond the positions he held.

Mick was a forward-thinking administrator who was never afraid to challenge Roscommon GAA to look to the future. During his tenure as Chairperson, he drove the 2013 strategic review of GAA activities throughout the county — a root-and-branch examination encompassing areas such as infrastructure, finance, coaching and games and fixtures.

Many of the developments that have followed in the years since can trace their origins to that period of planning and ambition, including the establishment of the first infrastructure committee for Dr. Hyde Park and the foundations upon which Club Rossie was subsequently built.

Paying tribute to Mick, current Roscommon GAA Chairperson Thomas Murray described him as “a man ahead of his time”.

“Mick had a great vision for the county. In many ways, he was a man ahead of his time.

“The last strategic plan we developed as a county was done under Mick’s watch. We also undertook a root-and-branch review of all GAA activities in Roscommon in 2013.

“He wasn’t afraid to say Roscommon needed to go about its business differently. He put a steering group in place to look at everything from infrastructure to finance to fixtures.

“A lot of good came from that work, and I think it is only now that we are truly seeing the fruits of Mick’s vision. Take the Hyde, where the first infrastructure committee was formed under his watch and at Club Rossie — so much of the progress we see today forms part of his lasting legacy.”

At club level, Mick was synonymous with Roscommon Gaels. He played both football and hurling for the club and subsequently gave many years of service as a coach, manager and administrator, holding a variety of positions on the club executive.

His passion for Gaelic games was equally evident throughout his distinguished career in education.

Mick joined the teaching staff of CBS Roscommon in 1974, teaching Economics and History and later serving as Guidance Counsellor. From 2002 until 2007, he served as Principal of the school.

Across those decades he had an enormous influence on generations of young people, both in the classroom and on the football field.

Among his many achievements was managing the CBS senior football team which, in 1998, captured the school’s first Connacht ‘A’ title in 50 years. That side included future Roscommon senior footballers Gerry Lohan, Paul Noone and John Hanly.

Thomas Murray, himself a former pupil of CBS Roscommon during Mick’s time at the school, said his influence reached far beyond Gaelic games.

“He was much more than a teacher. He was a really strong leader in the school. We had some great years from a GAA perspective, and Mick was the cornerstone of that. He left a great legacy there, not just in Roscommon GAA.”

Service to Roscommon GAA was also part of Mick’s family heritage. His late father, John Joe Fahey, served as Secretary of Roscommon GAA, and the J.J. Fahey Cup, presented to the winners of the Roscommon Senior Football Championship, is named in his honour.

Mick’s passing therefore marks the loss of someone whose life was woven deeply into the story of Roscommon GAA — as a player, coach, manager, administrator, educator and leader.

His influence can be seen not simply in the positions he held or the teams he coached, but in the structures he helped put in place, the people he encouraged and the generations of Roscommon players and pupils whose lives he influenced.

As a mark of respect and in recognition of Mick’s outstanding contribution to Gaelic games in the county, a minute’s silence will be observed before every Roscommon GAA club game taking place this weekend. It will provide the entire Roscommon GAA community with an opportunity to remember Mick and acknowledge a lifetime of service to the Association.

On behalf of Roscommon GAA, we extend our deepest sympathies to Mick’s beloved wife Eileen; his daughter Bríana and her partner Rossa; his adored grandchildren Aurelia and Lonn; his brothers Noel, Gerry and Ollie; his sister Maura; his extended family and friends; and to everyone in Roscommon Gaels and the wider CBS Roscommon community.

We also remember with gratitude a lifetime of extraordinary service to Gaelic games in County Roscommon.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.