A GAA club in Waterford has been left devastated by the sudden passing of a popular and highly-respected team mentor while on holiday.

Mount Sion GAA club has led the tributes to 45-year-old father-of-four Michael Grant who died after taking ill while holidaying in Majorca. He worked as a physiotherapist and was also deeply involved with St Joseph’s AFC.

“Yesterday, a darkness descended on our club and our community. When word filtered through that ‘Granter’ was gone, our collective hearts shattered into a million pieces,” the club said in a social media post on Tuesday.

“To his heartbroken wife Leanne, his children Kayley, Niamh, Shay and Sofia, to his Mam Marie and Dad, Sam, his brothers and his sisters, we can simply say that we will do whatever we can to support you through your grief and sadness at the passing of your husband, son, brother and father and one of the leading lights of our club.

“No words of ours will ease the sense of loss Michael’s family feel at this time. But we wish it to be known that Michael Grant has left us all, better for having known him, wiser for having listened to him, happier for having laughed with him and kinder for having been cared for by him.

“Michael Grant was selfless. He gave of himself without condition - how he managed to be omni-present in his beloved St Joseph’s AFC and Mount Sion remains a mystery. But give of himself he did, in the kindest, most considerate and most caring way to every child who kicked or struck a ball under his watch in those two clubs!

“Michael Grant was a brilliant coach. Because he had that trait of character no course can bestow - he treated every child as he would his own and that care and sincerity of interest endeared him to child and adult alike. His impact on those under his coaching care may not be obvious now, but it will manifest itself as the years progress when, as those boys grow, they will epitomise the traits of loyalty, friendship, honesty, respect and effort, traits which were the cornerstones of his coaching philosophy.”

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