 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Séamus Ó Riain" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(June 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Séamus Ó Riain | |
|---|---|
| President of the Gaelic Athletic Association | |
| In office 1967–1970 | |
| Preceded by | Alf Murray |
| Succeeded by | Pat Fanning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Ryan (1916-04-02)2 April 1916 Moneygall,County Offaly, Ireland |
| Died | 27 January 2007(2007-01-27) (aged 90) Moneygall, County Offaly, Ireland |
| Spouse | Mary Ryan |
| Children | 10 |
| Alma mater | De La Salle College Waterford |
| Occupation | Primary school teacher |
Séamus Ó Riain (2 April 1916 – 27 January 2007) was anIrishhurler,Gaelic footballer andGaelic games administrator. He served as the 22ndpresident of theGaelic Athletic Association from 1967 until 1970.[1]
Born inMoneygall on theOffaly-Tipperary border, Ó Riain was educated at Coláiste Éinde, Colaiste Caoimhin andDe La Salle College Waterford where he trained as a national school teacher. He subsequently worked as a teacher inCloughjordan,Newcastle West,Borrisokane andDunkerrin.
Ó Riain first enjoyed sporting success during his studies in De La Salle. Here he won twocounty championship medals as a Gaelic footballer, as well as being awarded the gold medal for best all-round sportsman. At various times between 1938 and 1947 Ó Riain was adual player with theTipperary junior teams.
In the mid 1940s Ó Riain first became involved in the administrative affairs of the GAA when he was elected secretary of theMoneygall club before later representing the club on the North Tipperary Board. In 1955 he was elected vice-chairman of the board before serving as chairman between 1957 and 1966. Ó Riain's growing expertise as an administrator was further rewarded in 1958 when he was elected as one of top Tipperary delegates on theMunster Council. In 1962 he was elected vice-chairman of the provincial council before taking over as chairman in 1965.
Ó Riain was elected president of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1967. His three-year tenure marked some major developments, including the inauguration ofScór, theAustralian Football World Tour, the setting up of the Commission on the Affairs of the GAA, the launching of the Club Development Scheme, and the decision to build a modernhandball court inCroke Park.
On completion of his term as President in 1970 Ó Riain took over as chairman of the Tipperary County Board. During his tenure he initiated theFéile na nGael.
Ó Riain died on 27 January 2007.[2]