By Michael O’ Connor
University of Galway GAA Officer.
(Photo: L to R: Maurice Sheridan (Manager), Seamus O' Grady (RIP) and Matthew Tierney (Capt) after the 2022 University of Galway Sigerson Cup win)
It was with great sadness that the GAA family in the University of Galway were informed on Thursday morning (27th March 2025) of the sad passing of Seamus O’ Grady.
The Gurteen native from County Sligo who made Galway his home since the 1960s as well as the beautiful Flaggy shore and New Quay in County Clare left an inedible mark on everyone who met him at work, socially or the playing field or more notably in a GAA boardroom.
In the autumn conferrings at the University of Galway in November 2019, Seamus was conferred with an honorary degree for his services to adult education by the same university he worked for over 40 years. When he retired in 2011 from University of Galway working life, he was the director of adult and continuing education. One of the most popular members of staff, he carried with him an old-world charm, knowledge of the past but very clearly an understanding that nothing stood still and he was always to the forefront of new thinking and most importantly realising that the youth would always lead the way given the chance.
From a sporting perspective, it was clear the love Seamus had for all things Irish, especially our gaelic games. He simply loved Gaelic football and appreciated the other GAA codes. The former University of Galway staff member loved meeting people especially GAA folk from all over Ireland and would always love to meet former GAA college players irrespective of their college.
He understood how important that sport was to the betterment of young people. He was actively involved as a referee in Galway and, for a number of years, officiated at intercounty level with distinction and handled a number of senior finals in Galway. Seamus rose to the heights of GAA administration within third level and served on national committees and was Connacht third level GAA chairperson.
University of Galway GAA officer Michael O’ Connor commented “The GAA community has lost one of the great characters, not just in UG but further afield. If one travelled to other colleges quite often it would be asked by the experienced club people “How is Seamus?”. He was to the forefront of some of the greatest GAA days in the college with in particular Sigerson cup wins in the 80s. He often considered this generation of players as his boys and stayed in contact with them long after they moved on from college.”
"Many of whom went on to succeed in sport, business and life would attribute his kind word, advice and sometimes simple chat as important as the training session.
“To see his smile when after a near 20-year gap we won Sigerson 22 it was a direct link to the sigerson wins on the 1980’s and once more even though retired for over a decade knew relatives of the players whose parents were in college such as Matt Tierney whose son Matthew was winning captain.
“Seamus was always forward thinking and challenged the status quo of matters, not to be argumentative but always believed like dealing with people trying to have a second go at education there is never a right way or wrong way but the best way to do things when approaching GAA matters”. One of his favourite sayings in a GAA context “Something has to be done about this” often rang through about the GAA headlines of the day."
He will be missed by all at the University of Galway but not nearly as much by his wife Bernadette, son Niall, daughter, son-in-law Stuart, and adored grandson Ruaiiri. May he rest in peace.
