O'Toole, George
July 11, 2008
A tribute to George O'Toole RIP
Leitrim GAA was plunged into deep sorrow on June 24, with the unexpected news that George O'Toole had passed to his eternal reward. George had been hospitalised for two weeks and had lead a very active life right up to then.
Born in the parish of Annaduff in 1924 George was to become on the best known administrators in the world of Cumann Luth Cleas Gael.
He became a member of the St. Mary's Club in Carrick-on-Shannon in 1944 after he joined the Gilmartin's Wholesale Company and continued to giving sterling service to the club for the next 16 years as a player, culminating in the club capturing their first senior championship award with George as Captain in 1958.
He remained a very active club member and was instrumental in acquiring and developing the club pitch Pairc Ui Chearnaigh. With a local committee he then spearheaded the purchase and development of Pairc Sean Mhic Diarmada and in May 1964 he saw his vision realised with the opening of this fine stadium.
He continued to act as Chairperson to the Pairc Sean committee until 1995. The ongoing development of the stadium during that time is a testament to George.
The hosting of the U-21 All Ireland between Donegal and Roscommon in 1982 with an attendance of over 20,000 was one of George's proudest days. He too recalled the U-21 All Ireland semi final of 1977 between Kerry and Leitrim with pride, Kerry having a young Mick O'Dwyer as manager
In 1970 George became Chairman of Leitrim County Board and continued in that role for ten years. His legacy to the Gaels of Leitrim was the development of club pitches under his leadership.
He was also delegate to the Connacht Council representing Leitrim with distinction for a period of twenty years culminating in his appointment as Uachtarain in 1988.
Again this period was marked with the development of Hyde Park as a central venue for Connacht for Major games in the province. His ability as a shrewd administrator was recognised at national level when george was elected as trustee of the association.
His final accolade was his appointment in 1995 to the position of president of the Leitrim County Board.
George was not only a successful Administrator in the world of Cumann Luth Cleas Gael he became Managing Director of Gilmartin's Cash & Carry business on the death of its founder John Gilmartin in 1967.
He presided over the expansion of the business in Carrick-on-Shannon and in 1974 he opened a second outlet in Castlerea. Further expansions saw the company open premises in Roscommon, Claremorris, Cavan and Monaghan making the company one of the biggest in the country.
Then there was the other George - the George who enjoyed the banter and craic, after the meetings, after the matches. He enjoyed life and could give and take with the best of them.
For George the start of the perfect day was tickets for the match, car full of petrol and pipe full of tobacco.
Throughout his life he witnessed many changes in both world of business and the GAA.
While he might not always agree with such change he embraced it as being inevitable. He himself was a highly principled man who believed firmly in what he set out to do. George called it as he saw it and was never afraid to speak his mind. We will all have our memories of this great man. It is hard believe George is no longer with us. his wit, his humour, advice and wisdom will be missed. He involved himself whole heartedly in many organisations that helped to improve our community. He lived a life of volunteering. We see the whole concept of volunteerism disappear and our communities will be the poorer for it.
Cumann Luth Cleas Gael owes a deep debt of gratitude to George for his magnificent contribution to the ideals of the association. He has been an example to us all surviving in a much more difficult economic era.
There was palpable regret throughout the province with news of his passing. I am sure part of the magnificent new stand in Carrick on Shannon will commemorate a man who was a living legend in the GAA world, mar ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris. Suaimhneas sirai a Sheoirse ar do anam dilis agus buiochas duit as a meid a rinne tu ar shon Cumann Luth Chleas Gael.
Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer
11th July, 2008
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