FORMER GAA president Dr Mickey Loftus has been praised for giving a "lifetime" to his beloved sports, following his death at the age of 93.
Hailing from Crossmolina in Co Mayo, Dr Loftus served as president of the organization between 1985 and 1988.
A former junior All-Ireland football winner for his home county, he went on to referee All-Ireland senior finals in 1965 and 1968.
Current GAA president Larry McCarthy said he learned of Dr Loftus' death on Saturday "with great sadness".
“He gave a lifetime to the GAA in a variety of different ways excelling both as a player and referee before embarking on an administrative career that led him to lead the association as president," Mr McCarthy said.
“His views on physical activity and fitness and healthy living generally, were well known and it could be said he was a man ahead of time. He made a profound impact on the association.
“On behalf of the wider GAA family I would like to offer his family and wide circles of friends our sympathies on his passing.”
A funeral for Dr Loftus will take place at St Tiernan's Church in Crossmolina on Tuesday.
