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‘Deep sorrow' – Ulster GAA grieving shock death of ex-president and former Cavan inter-county ace
A nearby county of Cavan's have paid a heartfelt tribute to him
HUGE LOSS 'Deep sorrow' – Ulster GAA grieving shock death of ex-president and former Cavan inter-county ace
ULSTER GAA have led tributes following the shock death of its former president Oliver Galligan.
The ex-Cavan inter-county footballer had served in the role as recently as 2022.
According to his post, he passed away surrounded by family at Cavan General Hospital. His funeral is to be held at 1pm on Thursday at the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim.
Leading tributes since word of the Kilnavara native's death broke, Ulster GAA issued a statement saluting his "life-long" commitment to all things Gaelic Games across his province.
It read: "It is with deep sorrow and profound shock that Ulster GAA mourns the loss of our esteemed colleague and friend, former Uachtarán Comhairle Uladh, Oliver Galligan.
"Oliver served as 37th President of the Ulster Council GAA from 2019-2022, and was currently a valued member of the Casement Park Stadium Board.
"He was also a member of the Croke Park Stadium Board and the Central Competitions Control Committee.
"A life-long member of the Cavan Gaels club in county Cavan, Oliver enjoyed a long and successful career at club level playing at senior level for 17 years and winning three county titles.
"He represented Cavan at all levels, captaining the county to the Ulster minor title in 1967 and playing senior inter-county with Cavan from 1969 to 1973.
"A former chairman of his club and a member of Cavan County Board for 15 years, Oliver was the county's Development Officer and then Ulster Council representative before being first elected as an Officer to the Ulster Council in 2010.
"He went on to serve with great distinction and dedication as PRO, Treasurer, Vice-President and finally President.
"He also held numerous roles over the years on national committees and workgroups, as well as being a member of the Project Steering Group for the Casement Park Project.
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"Ulster GAA expresses profound sorrow at Oliver's passing and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Frances, his sons John and Oliver (Jnr), his daughter Elaine (Peter), and the wider Galligan family circle during this time of great loss.
"We remember also his colleagues at Cavan Gaels and in Cavan GAA. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
Cavan's Ulster compatriots Tyrone have expressed their condolences in a nice show of solidarity.
The Red Hand county board posted: "Like the rest of Ulster, Ireland, and beyond, Gaelic Tyrone is deeply saddened and diminished by the death of Oliver Galligan.
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He guided Ulster GAA through the turbulent times of the Covid-19 pandemic
Credit: @UlsterGAA
"As the then Ulster GAA Chair, Oliver helped guide us all through the totally unprecedented COVID pandemic, and apart from that unique and very successful role, he was always for us in Tyrone a hard-working GAA guide, mentor, and colleague of integrity, decency, class, and style.
"Oliver took on virtually every strategic Club and County GAA role possible in his beloved Cavan, and also served us all so well in a number of national GAA roles.
"'Na caoin deor ar m'imeacht, ach cuimhnigh mar a bhí mé | Do not mourn my departure, but remember me as I was.'
"Our deepest sympathy goes to Oliver's family, to his many friends, neighbours and colleagues, and to the Gaels of Cavan town and Cavan county.
"'I measc Naomh na hÉireann agus Laochra na nGael go raibh sé | May he be among the Saints of Ireland and the Heroes of the Gael.'"
