Galway Bay fm newsroom – Warm tributes are being paid to GAA legend Joe McDonagh following his passing at the age of 63.
The former President of the GAA and Galway county hurling star passed away yesterday after battling illness for a short time.
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid tribute to Joe, describing him as ‘one of the greatest speakers of our native tongue’ and ‘a champion and a hero’.
Joe retired as CEO of the Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board last year – and his lengthy career also included terms as a teacher, linguist and broadcaster.
He served as Galway Bay fm’s first Head of Sport.
He was also a renowned singer and is best remembered for his rendition of the West’s Awake live in Croke Park after his team mate Joe Connolly lifted the McCarthy cup for Galway in 1980:
Joe is survived by his wife Peig, son Eoin and daughters Muireann and Eilis.
Long time friend and colleague, Galway Bay FM Hurling correspondant Sean Walsh, looks back at Joes influence on sport and education: