The late Jim Graven The GAA Community throughout Britain had been stunned by the unexpected death of former Gloucestershire chairman and Southern Gaels founder Jim Graven. The Poole-based retired Civil Engineer had been making his final travel arrangements to cheer his native Mayo against Kerry at Croke Park when he passed away. Jim, who was 76 at the time of his death, had been a promising centre-field talent with Islandeady - his local club - before coming across the water. But it was as co-founder of Southern Gaels in 1989 that he is best remembered. Alongside fellow Islandeady native Tom Conway (the pair had been on the verge of the Mayo senior panel before they emigrated) he moulded the side into a force to be reckoned with in the West County and beyond. They were Gloucestershire senior football championship for seven successive seasons from 1992. But 1997 was the club's golden year when they reached the AIB Senior Football Championship of Britain final and lost narrowly to London rivals Tir Chonaill Gaels. Jim was last directing tactics just a few days before his death when Southern Gaels met St Nicholas in the county championship semi-final. The stalwart Gael was Gloucestershire chairman when the County Board celebrated its golden jubilee in 1999 and subsequently served as GAA development officer for Wales and the West. He is survived by Ann his wife of 42 years, sons Michael, Richard and Jim, a daughter Maria and nine grandchildren. Jim was buried in his native Mayo. Courtesy of the Irish News 23/09/2006 Tweet

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