Tyrone GAA has led the tributes to lifelong Gael and former BBC sports reporter Frank Rodgers who passed away on Sunday at the age of 82.

A member of the Beragh Red Knights club, Frank represented Tyrone at all levels before serving long stints as secretary of his club and as Tyrone GAC secretary. He also worked for BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound programme from 1974 to ’94 and wrote a local newspaper column for over 50 years.

“Tyrone GAA faces into a future that does not now include one of our most influential figures of the past half-century-plus, Beragh Red Knights’ Frank Rodgers,” a county board statement said.

“Tyrone’s modern position as a GAA power is these days largely taken for granted. But for decades it was anything but that, and Frank was one of a group of radical, innovative and visionary people who changed the path of GAA history here.

"A player for Tyrone at Minor, Junior and Senior levels before injury ended his playing career, Frank stepped in as Beragh Secretary in 1968 and held onto that vital role for the following quarter of a century. Alongside that he was heavily involved in the strategic reshaping and restructuring of Tyrone GAA in the 1970s, moving on to become one of Tyrone’s key administrators all through the 1980s and 1990s.

“A believer, again before his time, in the importance of PR, communication and marketing, Frank also pioneered this work at Club and County levels. But never, ever with himself as its focus.

“Tyrone GAA’s deepest sympathy goes to Frank’s family, to his many friends and colleagues, and to the Gaels and wider community of Beragh.”

 

Le Comhbhrón

Tyrone GAA faces into a future that does not now include one of our most influential figures of the past half-century-plus, Beragh Red Knights' Frank Rodgers.

Tyrone's modern position as a GAA power is these days largely taken for granted. But for decades it was… pic.twitter.com/03fYva2bnA

— Tyrone GAA (@TyroneGAALive) July 31, 2023

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