There was widespread sadness across the county last week following the death of Michael Fahey, former principal of Roscommon CBS and former Chairperson of the Roscommon GAA County Board.
Michael, aged 74, of Kilteevan, Roscommon, died peacefully on Thursday last in the devoted care of the staff at Roscommon University Hospital.
Born in Castlerea, he was one of five children of JJ and Mary Fahey. Following the family’s move to Roscommon Town, Michael attended Roscommon Convent before completing his secondary education at Roscommon CBS.
After qualifying, he spent a year teaching in Ballinrobe before returning to Roscommon, where he took up a teaching post at Roscommon CBS in 1974. He was appointed principal of the school in 2002.
A much-admired and highly knowledgeable teacher, Michael also served as Guidance Counsellor at the school. His years as principal are remembered with great affection by generations of past pupils and by his former teaching colleagues.
Michael was also one of the best-known and most respected GAA administrators in the county over many decades. His involvement with the GAA began at an early age, playing both football and hurling with Roscommon Gaels before going on to coach numerous teams at underage and senior level. He also served the club in a variety of executive roles and was a highly regarded referee in both football and hurling.
Having served as PRO of the Roscommon GAA County Board for three years, Mick was elected Chairperson in 2011, a position he held until 2015.
His contribution to the GAA at Roscommon CBS was equally significant. Over many years, he coached school teams in both football and hurling and was team manager when Roscommon CBS captured their first Connacht Colleges Senior ‘A’ title in 50 years in 1998, defeating St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, in Dr Hyde Park.
Roscommon Gaels GAA Club paid tribute to Mick on its Facebook page, describing the immense legacy he leaves within the club as a player, coach, manager, officer, adviser and, above all, a devoted clubman.
“His passing represents a loss to our club and to all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
A fitting indication of the esteem in which Michael was held was provided by the huge crowds who attended his removal, Funeral Mass and burial last weekend. A number of Guards of Honour were in attendance, while a minute’s silence was observed before every Roscommon GAA club game last weekend in his memory.
The late Michael Fahey is deeply mourned by his wife Eileen, daughter Bríana and her partner Rossa, grandchildren Aurelia and Lonn, brothers Noel, Gerry and Ollie, sister Maura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, former teaching colleagues, past pupils and his many friends, particularly throughout the GAA community.
May he rest in peace.
Michael Fahey gave ‘lifetime of extraordinary service to GAA’
Current Roscommon County Board Chairperson Thomas Murray has led tributes to the late Michael (‘Mick’) Fahey, describing him as “a man ahead of his time” who brought vision, leadership and a deep commitment to the development of Gaelic games at every level.
“Mick was a forward-thinking administrator who was never afraid to challenge Roscommon GAA to look to the future. During his tenure as Chairperson, he drove the 2013 strategic review of GAA activities throughout the county – a root-and-branch examination encompassing areas such as infrastructure, finance, coaching and games and fixtures.
“Many of the developments that have followed in the years since can trace their origins to that period of planning and ambition, including the establishment of the first infrastructure committee for Dr Hyde Park and the foundations upon which Club Rossie was subsequently built.
“He wasn’t afraid to say Roscommon needed to go about its business differently. He put a steering group in place to look at everything from infrastructure to finance to fixtures.
“At club level, Mick was synonymous with Roscommon Gaels. He played both football and hurling for the club and subsequently gave many years of service as a coach, manager and administrator, holding a variety of positions on the club executive.
“His passion for Gaelic games was equally evident throughout his distinguished career in education. Mick joined the teaching staff of CBS Roscommon in 1974, teaching Economics and History and later serving as Guidance Counsellor. From 2002 until 2007, he served as principal of the school.
“Across those decades he had an enormous influence on generations of young people, both in the classroom and on the football field. Among his many achievements was managing the CBS senior football team which, in 1998, captured the school’s first Connacht ‘A’ title in 50 years.
“Service to Roscommon GAA was also part of Mick’s family heritage. His late father, John Joe Fahey, served as Secretary of Roscommon GAA, and the JJ Fahey Cup, presented to the winners of the Roscommon Senior Football Championship, is named in his honour.
“Mick’s passing therefore marks the loss of someone whose life was woven deeply into the story of Roscommon GAA – as a player, coach, manager, administrator, educator and leader.
“His influence can be seen not simply in the positions he held or the teams he coached, but in the structures he helped put in place, the people he encouraged and the generations of Roscommon players and pupils whose lives he influenced.”
As he extended sympathies on behalf of Roscommon GAA to Mick’s family, Mr Murray said: “We also remember with gratitude a lifetime of extraordinary service to Gaelic games in County Roscommon.”
Farewell to a great Roscommon man
Seamus Duke
To say I knew Mick Fahey all my life would not be quite accurate. His late father, John Joe, and my late dad, Seamus, were close friends long before we came on the scene. But, like so many people in Roscommon Town, Mick Fahey was part of our lives for as long as we can remember.
The GAA was, inevitably, a huge part of our friendship. Mick played both football and hurling for Roscommon Gaels. He would be the first to admit that he wasn’t an elite player, but that was never the point. He loved playing, he loved the club, and he loved wearing those Roscommon Gaels colours.
When his playing days were over, Mick came into his own as a coach and an administrator. He excelled in many roles at club level, before moving on to County Board service, first as PRO, subsequently as Chairman. He was a great GAA man, not simply because of the positions he held, but because of the genuine interest and enthusiasm he brought to all that he did.
Above all, Mick was a supporter. He loved going to matches. Over the years, right up until recently, you would see him at club games, county challenge matches and, of course, the big championship occasions. When Roscommon Gaels or any Roscommon county team won, there was no happier person than Mick Fahey.
But it was at Roscommon CBS where Mick perhaps left his biggest mark. Quite apart from his involvement in the GAA, he was an outstanding teacher and an excellent principal. The tributes from former pupils since his death have shown just how much he was respected and admired by those he taught.
His work with young GAA players at the CBS was phenomenal. He loved working with them and I suspect the triumphs he enjoyed with the CBS meant more to him than any other GAA success he experienced.
I especially remember the day in 1998 when CBS defeated St Jarlath’s to win a first senior ‘A’ title in 50 years. As manager of that team, Mick was bursting with pride. He had many memorable days during his coaching career at Roscommon CBS, but that one was particularly special.
Mick also had a sharp intellect and was a very well-read and highly intelligent man. He loved good-humoured conversation. In recent years, you would often encounter him in John Corcoran’s shop in Church Street, Roscommon, Mick shooting the breeze with the many characters who gather there each week.
In recent years, Mick had health challenges, but they did not diminish his love of the GAA. He was still a regular presence, often with his brothers, at Dr Hyde Park for the big games. Indeed, he was there for the momentous Connacht final victory over Galway earlier this summer.
I attended hundreds of meetings and games, and many social occasions, with Mick over the years. Like so many people, I am deeply saddened by his passing. He was a great Roscommon Gaels man, a great Roscommon CBS man, and a great Roscommon man. Most of all, Mick Fahey was a great man.
To Eileen, Bríana and Rossa, to his grandchildren, and to his brothers Noel, Gerry and Ollie, and his sister Maura, I extend my deepest sympathy. ‘Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann’.
May he rest in peace.
