Pat Fanning
Encyclopedia
Pat Fanning was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Mount Sion and was a member of the Waterford
senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. He won the county championship on seven occasions. Fanning also served as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
from 1970 until 1973, and was honorary life president of Waterford's county board.
His election in succession of fellow Munster
man Seamus Ryan marked the second time in history a province had consecutive Presidents of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Fanning was the former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association to have survived the longest after serving.
admitted "foreign games" in 2005, Fanning said:
Fanning also oversaw the introduction of senior club All-Irelands during his Presidency.
. In later years he continued to comment on matters related to the GAA.
He died early morning on 14 March 2010 at the age of 91. Tributes came from Christy Cooney
, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association at the time of Fanning's death.
, County Waterford
on 29 January 2005. The award was one of five given to Fanning, Paddy Joe Ryan (previously a county chairman), Seamas Grant (secretary), Tony Morrissey (treasurer), and Seamus O'Brien (a representative member of the Central Council), though Fanning spoke as a representiave of them all.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Mount Sion and was a member of the Waterford
Waterford GAA
The Waterford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Waterford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for all levels of Gaelic games in County Waterford. The County Board is also responsible for the Waterford inter-county teams. The county...
senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. He won the county championship on seven occasions. Fanning also served as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
from 1970 until 1973, and was honorary life president of Waterford's county board.
His election in succession of fellow Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
man Seamus Ryan marked the second time in history a province had consecutive Presidents of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Fanning was the former President of the Gaelic Athletic Association to have survived the longest after serving.
Presidency
Fanning's time as President of the Gaelic Athletic Association is remembered for the 1970 repealing of the ban on being associated with "foreign games". He had opposed the move, yet received praise for not objecting to the outcome of the national vote. When Croke ParkCroke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
admitted "foreign games" in 2005, Fanning said:
Fanning also oversaw the introduction of senior club All-Irelands during his Presidency.
Other life
Fanning was employed by the Department of Posts and TelegraphsMinister for Posts and Telegraphs (Ireland)
The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs was a senior post in the government of the Irish Free State and the Republic of Ireland from 1924 to 1984, when the post and the department was abolished....
. In later years he continued to comment on matters related to the GAA.
He died early morning on 14 March 2010 at the age of 91. Tributes came from Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney
Christy Cooney is the current President of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
, President of the Gaelic Athletic Association at the time of Fanning's death.
Honours
Fanning was honoured with the Appreciation Award at the Park Hotel in DungarvanDungarvan
Dungarvan is a town and harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. Dungarvan is the county town and administrative centre of County Waterford. The town's Irish name means "Garbhan's fort", referring to Saint Garbhan who founded a church there in the seventh century...
, County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
on 29 January 2005. The award was one of five given to Fanning, Paddy Joe Ryan (previously a county chairman), Seamas Grant (secretary), Tony Morrissey (treasurer), and Seamus O'Brien (a representative member of the Central Council), though Fanning spoke as a representiave of them all.