The late Andy Duffy A wedding celebration turned to tragedy after one of the most popular figures in Irish business and GAA circles collapsed and died. Andy Duffy suffered a suspected fatal heart attack at his London home just hours after attending his sister's wedding reception. The death of the well-respected chairman of the London-based Tir Chonaill Gaels club stunned the GAA world in Britain. Staff in his Duffy Group construction firm were also in a state of shock as news of the tragedy was broken to them. Mr Duffy had returned to his house in Fulham after celebrating his sister's wedding at a reception at Breenford GAA club when he collapsed. A hugely popular figure throughout the London GAA the 43 year old devoted much of his spare time to the promotion of underage football. But he will perhaps be best remembered as one the GAA's leading benefactors never hesitating with the sponserships of numerous GAA causes. Mr Duffy's earlier involvement in London GAA was with Acton Gaels. But his elevation to the Tir Chonaill Gaels chairman within two years of joining in 2000 coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club's history. A spokesperson for the club said: "Andy has been instrumental in all levels of football from underage through to senior as well as all aspects of the Social Club. 'He is an irreplaceable loss to the club but an even bigger loss to his family who our thoughts are with at this difficult time." And former Tir Chonaill Gaels chairman Danny Keeney said: "I have had the pleasure of knowing Andy for many years. "When work was required to be done on Tir Chonaill Gaels Andy was fist to offer his services without hesitation. "Andy's loss will be immeasurable because of his huge involvement in underage GAA. "I know he found great pleasure in watching young boys taking up Gaelic football and becoming established players with Tir Chonaill Gaels." Although London born Mr Duffy spent much of his youth at Carriagart in his father's native Co. Donegal before returning to Britain in his late teens. He became managing director of the Duffy Group construction firm after taking on the mantle from his father John who founded the company in the early 1960s. A spokesman for the firm said Mr Duffy had been a major part of the Irish community in Britain and the thoughts of everybody at the company were with his family. A minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect at the senior hurling final at Ruislip and several games scheduled to take place were cancelled. The funeral Mass took place at St Augustine's Church on Fulham Palace Road in Hammersmith at 12.15pm on Monday October 23rd, 2006 followed by burial at North Sheen Cemetery. Andy is survived by his wife Junie, daughters Pamela and Claudia and son Sean. He is also survived by his father John, mother Eileen, sisters Fiona and Joanna and brother Jonathan. Courtesy of the Irish Post 21 October 2006 Tweet

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