Down GAA has paid a heartfelt tribute to its former chairman Eamonn O’Toole who has passed away.

The Loughinisland clubman served as county board chairman at the turn of the millennium when he played a key role in the development of Páirc Esler. His son Conor is the current County Head of Games.

“Eamonn was elected County Chairman in 1999 and would become the first Chairperson since George Tinnelly to serve for a five-year term. During his term as Chairman, Eamonn had the honour of overseeing the centenary celebrations of the County Committee in 2003,” the tribute read.

“Eamonn was a man never afraid of a challenge and as County Chairperson he showed leadership in guiding Down through the debate on Rule 21 in 2001, when the Down County Committee voted to remove Rule 21 from the Official Guide. A decision that showed leadership and vision, and Eamonn O'Toole had both. It was never for Eamonn about the local issues, it was always about the greater good of the Association.

“He also oversaw the continued development of Páirc Esler, ensuring that work on the Stand would commence, wanting to deliver facilities that we in Down could be proud of and in true Eamonn fashion he delivered on the task that he set out to achieve.

“He may have gone from Office when the works were completed, but he had laid the foundations for it to happen. His work was also recognised nationally as he became a key member of the National Finance Committee, assisting other counties with this wealth of experience, in the GAA and in work.

“Eamonn had a long association with the County Committee first being a member of the County Committee as far back as 1972 when he was asked to coordinate the Down promotion of the National Development Fund.

“Eamonn would go on to serve in many roles at County level, firstly as a Down Delegate to Ulster Council in the 1970s, and span the decades acting as County Development Officer, County Vice Chairperson and then the honour of being County Chairperson to guide us into the new millennium.

“We extend our deepest Sympathy to his children Siobhan, Orla, Conor, Aisling, Cormac, Eimear, his Sons-in-law & Daughters-in-law, his grandchildren Dearbhaile, Aine, Aoibhe, Lorcan, Damhan, Conor, Niamh, Noah, Jamie, Coran, Conan, Annie, Fionnbarr, Clodagh, Nia; his sisters and brothers, Maureen, Ita, Noreen, Hugh, Kieran, and the extended O'Toole Family.

“We remember too Eamonn's late wife Mary. To the Gaels of Loughinisland, we offer our condolences on the loss of your Club President and a man who was so much a part of the Club and the Community.”

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