Dublin football manager Jim Gavin has led the tributes to county board chairman Andy Kettle who lost his battle with cancer yesterday.

The 68 year old took over from Gerry Harrington in 2010 and during his tenure the capital claimed two All-Ireland SFC and two All-Ireland U-21 FC titles as well as a HL Division 1 and a long-awaited Leinster SHC success.

He had been re-elected for a fifth term on Monday night but died after contracting pneumonia during chemotherapy treatment for prostate cancer that had returned in October after a 14 year absence.

Gavin told RTE One the Fingal Ravens clubman "had been fighting his illness for quite some time.

"Andy was devoted to the Gaelic Athletic Association. He leaves behind a legacy of service and influence in the GAA.

"We'd a very open and honest relationship with Andy. He was a man of integrity. He was very principled.

"He had a great passion for the association and for developing gaelic games in Dublin, both hurling and football, and I do recall, after some of our games sharing a meal with Andy, that he talked with great pride about the Fingal hurling team.

"Everything that Andy did was totally focused on the best for Dublin GAA and the association at large, and to that end, he attended our training sessions, he attended team meetings, he came with the players on the bus, he was in the dressing room at our shoulder in victory and defeat.

"If one was going to battle, Andy Kettle is someone you would want at your side."

Nice words from Jim Gavin on Andy Kettle on @RTERadio1, Andy, our county board chairman was a gent and a true blue, R.I.P Andy

- Bernard Brogan (@bernardbrogan) December 17, 2014

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