'HEAVY HEART'
‘Deep shock’ as Junior All-Ireland winner dies unexpectedly only days after starring for senior team
He served multiple roles at the club beyond just being a player
THE SLIGO GAA community is in mourning after the unexpected death of a popular veteran footballer.
Brendan McGrath of Easkey GAA club passed away on Monday.
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He had been in his 27th year of representing the club's senior side on the pitch.
In 2010 he had been part of the Sligo team that won the All-Ireland junior championship.
His rip.ie post requests that any donations be made towards heart attack and stroke charity Croí care.
Easkey's statement recounted his lifelong involvement with the club as a player and more recently as a coach of their Under 7s and Under 9s.
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It read: "It is with deep shock and a heavy heart that we, as a club, committee members, players and entire community learned of the heartbreaking news on the sad passing of our senior player, coach and dear friend Brendan McGrath.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Dayna, his sons Finn and Tadgh and all of the McGrath, Flannelly and Byrne families
"Brendan was a long-serving senior player, making his senior debut in 1998.
"He was currently playing in his 27th year of senior football including kicking four points on Friday evening's win over Geevagh.
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"He excelled as an underage player, leading the team to U16, minor and U21 titles, along with winning an All Ireland Vocational Schools title.
"Brendan had an instant impact at senior level, helping the team to reach the senior final in 1999.
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"He then went on to win three intermediate titles, including captaining the team to the intermediate title in 2010.
"He was also part of our Connacht and Sligo Junior winning team that reached Croke Park.
"He also won an All-Ireland Junior title with Sligo in 2010.
"Brendan was also a truly dedicated clubman.
"He was a coach for our U7 and U9 teams, volunteered to help out with works to our club grounds and was always on the other end of the phone when we needed his advice or expertise.
"His passion and love for football and the club was incomparable.
"He will be sadly missed by all in Easkey GAA.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."