Enniscorthy's Mick Furlong was a great stalwart of the Wexford GAA community
A number of symbols representing his life were brought to the altar including his Seana Ghael award, his cap and comb, a packet of Werther's orginal sweets, and The Irish Independent newspaper.
His son Eamonn then spoke about how despite being originally from Kilkenny, his father became an indispensable member of the local Enniscorthy community.
"Dad transported many a young hurling and football team to GAA pitches all over the county. We had great neighbours and there was a great sense of community on our cul-de-sac.'
"Dad took great pride in his family's achievements in all aspects of life. The impact he had our lives is immeasurable; he was a role model, a mentor, a friend – not only to his family but everyone gathered here today. Thank you dad, we love you and we will miss you every day,' he added.
The Rapparees/Starlights club described him as one of their great clubmen and great Gaels, having been heavily involved in the club throughout his life.
"A man with a passion for hurling and football along with administration, Mick, as he was known to all, was a mentor, trainer, healer, physio, doctor, advisor and at times a father figure to all the underage teams,' they said.
"A constant, with his great pal Seamus Deegan, on the underage sidelines of this county for many many years, Mick and Seamus were the stalwarts of our club nursery on Saturday mornings where they passed on their love of the games to numerous generations of hurlers and footballers.'
He passed his great love for sports down to his children Ronan and Eamonn who each played for the Rapparees/Starlights club for a number of years, with Ronan now acting as chairman for the Ladies Section and Eamonn becoming a much-respected county referee.
His daughters Ailish, Mairead, Emer, and Finola also spent a considerable amount of time playing on the pitch before becoming the most ardent supporters during match days.
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Most of all, the club credits Michael for getting them to where they are today.
"We would not be where we are today except for men like Mick Furlong who dedicated their love, their time, their expertise, their passion, their advice, and their tremendous volunteerism to generations of hurlers and footballers.'
'Their greatest gift to us as a club, and to the GAA in general, is the love of our games that they pass onto all those around them, particularly their families,' they added.
Friends and family took to RIP.ie to leave messages about his friendly character and undisputable love for all things GAA.
One mourner wrote: 'Will never forget all the craic we had travelling the country back 15 and 20 years ago to referee inter-county football matches, with Mick in the car as a faithful umpire. Will be forever grateful for all that help.'
Another wrote: 'Mick was always a pleasure to meet and chat to. A genuine GAA man with a love of all things to do with our national games in all grades and ages.'
A further tribute read: 'He was a true gentleman wonderful club man and a great Gael. Have great memories of him coaching and driving us all over the county when we were chaps. Always had a smile and loved having chats about all things GAA.'
Pre-deceased by his loving wife Eileen, son Cathal and son-in-law Tony and dearly loved father of Ailish, Mairead, Ronan, Emer, Finola and Eamonn, he will be sadly missed by his daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, adored grandchildren and great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, brother-in-law John Walsh, extended family, neighbours and his many friends including those in the wider GAA Community.
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