By Damian Dolan

 

St Anthony's GAA Club in Reading will always owe a debt of gratitude to Mick Linehan, says chairman Martin O'Sullivan.

 

Mick held almost every position at the club including chairman and almost single-handedly kept St Anthony's going during some difficult times, as well managing it to Junior Championship success in 2005.

 

Mick was still the club's Director of Football and a Life President at the time of his passing last week at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. He was 73.

 

"Without him they'd be no club in Reading today. It's a legacy that we have to pass on. We couldn't be more grateful for what he's done," O'Sullivan told the Irish World.

 

"Mick was Mr St Anthony's; from representing the club at county board meetings, to getting sponsorship, to putting a team out on the field, he was a really genuine man who kept the club going. He always gave of his time."

 

Originally from Crookstown in County Cork, Mick won a Cork county U14 medal with Kilmurry.

 

He and his wife Ann settled in Reading in the 1960s, where they raised their family. Mick worked in the construction industry and was an active member of the town's Irish community.

 

Social Secretary of West Reading Social Club, he used his contacts with bands and musicians to help arrange events to fundraise towards the building of the Reading Irish Centre, which opened in 1986. 

 

It was during the 1980s that Mick became a pivotal member of St Anthony's GAA club.

 

"The club went through some tough times in the 1980s and without Mick there wouldn't be a club in Reading. He kept the ship going when there was nobody else to take on the mantle," added O'Sullivan. 

 

St Anthony's County Board representative for many years, Mick was a regular at the board's monthly Monday night meetings, as well as being a selector for the London Junior team.

 

"He was always prepared to go to Ruislip and help out in any way. He was very well liked within the county," said O'Sullivan.

     

RTE's Marty Morrissey was among those to also pay tribute, tweeting 'I'm really saddened to hear of the sad passing of the great Mick Linehan from St. Anthony's GAA Club in Reading UK. Heard so much about him but know he was the heartbeat of a great community and great Club. You will be missed Mick. May you Rest in Peace.'

 

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