Slane GFC has paid tribute to club stalwart Oliver Harding who sadly passed away yesterday.

A member of the junior championship winning team of 1952, Oliver gave a lifetime of dedicated service to the club and Meath GAA and, in a statement, the club described him as "one of the great Gaels of Slane and Meath GAA".

"Oliver was a club president and honorary member. Our club was always central to his life, and for over seven decades he gave every ounce of blood, sweat and tears he had in the service of the club.

"We are proud that for all his life, Slane GFC was able to give him plenty of joy too; while his involvement with Meath underage teams was a source of great pride to him.

"Over the last few weeks, Oliver enjoyed the company of club members and of other great Gaels from Meath GAA . . . he enjoyed hearing stories of days gone by, and of telling a few of his own. His brilliant mind was as sharp as ever and his recall of games and incidents over the decades extraordinary.

"Despite his failing health in recent weeks his love for the club was in no way diminished, even buying tickets for last week's Joker competition! And he spoke too of his excitement about the new clubhouse and the continued growth of our underage section.

"Of course, Oliver's son Jim is currently a selector with our adult team, on which his grandsons Shane and Alan play, and even though he could not be at matches of late, his family gave him a blow by blow account of each game.

"As a mark of respect to a truly great man, there will be no club activity - games or training - until further notice.

"Slane GFC would like to extend its sympathy to Oliver's family on their loss. Ni bheidh a leithead ann aris.

"Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam."

Funeral arrangements:

Reposing at his home on Wednesday from 3pm and all day Thursday. Removal on Thursday at 6:30pm to arrive in St. Patrick's Church, Slane, for 7pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St. Erc's Cemetery.

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