It was during �? Riain's presidency from 1967 to 1970 - and at his behest - that the club development scheme begun to provide finance and advice for GAA clubs to become social and community centres for parishes. And it was also �? Riain, along with fellow Tipperary man Tommy Barrett, who was the instigator and brainchild of Féile na nGael, the annual underage tournament that still thrives today.

A native of Moneygall in Tipperary, he was a respected athlete, hurler and footballer, winning a Waterford county hurling medal with De La Salle where he trained as a teacher, and playing junior hurling and football with Tipperary. He was chairman of the north Tipperary board from 1957 to 1966 and then served as Munster Council chairman for three years before assuming the presidency of the GAA itself.

Then, upon finishing that post, he started as chairman of the Tipperary county board, an organisation which he also served as president since 1990. He was also a pivotal figure in the Semple Stadium Development Committee that helped ensure Thurles was fit to host the Centenary hurling All Ireland final.

Grandfather of Dublin footballer Shane Ryan, �? Riain was a notable GAA historian as well as an official. He was the biographer of the association's first president, Maurice Davin, and also compiled the history of his own club, Moneygall.

Fellow Tipperary man, Fr Seamus Gardiner, current spokesperson for the national referees' committee, knew Seamus �? Riain well.

"Seamus had a keen intellect but first and foremost he'll be remembered for being such a lovely man, " says Fr Gardiner. "The only trouble with Seamus was to get away from him because he was such a fantastic storyteller and pleasant man. He never lost that respect and time for people."

His funeral arrangements are as follows: reposing in Dunkerrin Funeral Home on Sunday from 3:00pm.

Removal at 7:00pm to Moneygall parish church.

Requiem Mass tomorrow (Mon) at 12:00pm. Interment in Dunkerrin Cemetery afterwards.

The GAA world also mourns this week the passing of another gent, Jimmy Murray, who captained Roscommon to consecutive All Ireland titles in 1943 and 1944.

He died last Monday, aged 89.