Tributes have been pouring in following the death of Seán Conroy.
The father of Galway football star and 2022 All-Ireland finalist Paul Conroy, who passed away earlier this week, has been described as "pure gentleman" and "forever friend".
A long-time member of St. James' GAA, the club led the tributes online.
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They said in a statement: "Seán Conroy gave outstanding service to St. James' GAA Galway. He served as an underage coach and was involved with many successful minor, U21 and senior teams.
"The club would like to take this opportunity to offer our condolences to the Conroy family. We appreciate all the time and service he gave to the club.
"We think of his wife Ann, children Sean, Martina, Paul, Aine and all his extended family members."
A tribute posted on Galway GAA's Facebook page described Sean as a "gentle giant of a man".
It read: "Death comes to us in different ways and often unexpectedly, obviously it effects us more the closer we are to the deceased.
"This morning when the sad news was received on the passing of Seán Conroy it stopped this Football PRO in his tracks and my mind went back to the days when Seán was at his peak in football terms, the calendar tells me it was 1986, the location was Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa but that's another story.
"A gentle giant of a man, softly spoken, with a physique honed from Connemara granite, which didn't come about by accident.
"Seán prided himself on his personal fitness without being boastful, quite the opposite, his modesty was legendary.
"Seán was a sportsman through and true, he trained hard, played hard & gave as good as he got, he shook hands and left the pitch knowing he gave his all, many the full forward learned the hard way that Sean was a force to be reckoned with on the GAA pitch.
"No doubt Sean fought the good fight this last few months but lost the battle unfortunately, taken before he got to fully enjoy the golden years of retirement after an exemplary career in the Irish Defence Forces, rest easy old comrade your duty is done.
"We offer our deepest condolences to Ann & Seán's children Seán, Martina, Paul, Áine on his passing, we will have fond memories of Seán on the GAA pitches as a Player and Coach and think of the wider circle of friends in St James' GAA & beyond at this time."
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