Family, friends and senior GAA figures joined to mourn the passing of former association president Con Murphy yesterday.
He was buried in Innishannon in his native Cork and many of those attending the moving service wore red-and-white arm bands.
The many mourners were led by his wife Tess, his family Noel, Áine, Brendan and Máire, and his brother Dominic.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was represented by Comdt Michael Murray, and the Lord Mayor of Cork, Michael Ahern, was also present.
The GAA contingent was led by the president of the association, Nickey Brennan. Past presidents who were present included Seán Kelly, Jack Boothman, Joe McDonagh and Paddy McFlynn. Former IRFU president Noel Murphy also attended.
In his homily Canon Micheál Ó Dálaigh told mourners how everyone "looked up to Con".
"Since he was a garsún, Con's life has been the GAA. To Con, the GAA was far more than a sporting organisation, it was a part of the family.
"He always sided with the Irish sort - he knew only one Ireland and it was an Ireland without partition and division," he added.
Mr Brennan delivered a graveside oration praising the work done for the organisation by Mr Murphy, who died at the age of 84.
His family could take some solace "that they shared a life with a unique man, a man who has left a legacy of love and achievement and a man who has bestowed on them ideals and values that are the essence of Christianity and humanity," Mr Brennan said.
"To us, his extended GAA family, we can take pride and satisfaction at being privileged to have known a great human being who shared his time and vision with us. I wish on behalf of all our association members to extend our deepest sympathy to all of his family."
Mr Brennan paid particular tribute to Mr Murphy for his work in Crossmaglen and hailed it as one of his greatest achievements.
"One of his great campaigns was on behalf of the Crossmaglen Rangers club in their struggle with the British army and their occupation of part of the club's ground. Con saw this as a truly great injustice and resolved to do all in his power to assist the club in their fight.
"It is fitting that in the weeks preceding his death, the British army finally began to move out of Crossmaglen, leaving to the club what was rightfully theirs.
"This would have given Con terrific pleasure and I'm sure he rests easy today in the knowledge that his fight on their behalf was a winning one.
"For me, he was someone to look up to, someone who set the standards for what could be achieved. His dedication and durability as an administrator, his hunger for perfection endured even into his final days," Mr Brennan said.
Mr Murphy was a powerful figure within the GAA and dedicated much of his life to it.
He won four All-Ireland senior hurling medals with Cork in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1946. He presented the Liam McCarthy Cup, as GAA president, to Cork during their three-in-a-row run as hurling champions in the 1970s. He also refereed two All-Ireland finals.
In 1995, he received the freedom of Cork. He served on the Cork GAA county board and Munster GAA council for more than 50 years.