The passing of former sports journalist Seán Diffley was met with great sadness on Sunday. The 85-year-old, who worked for the Irish Press and the Irish Independent, had been unwell for some time.

Originally from Clondalkin, he was the son of Garda Michael Diffley and Rose and attended school at Blackrock College in Dublin. It was his love of athletics which took him into journalism, with his first significant assignments with the Irish Press taking him to the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games in Mexico City and Munich respectively.

However, when he left Burgh Quay and joined the Independent he arrived as their rugby correspondent, where he covered many World Cups and Lions tours until his retirement. Until recently he still produced a TV column which never shied away from strong opinion. He also continued to enjoy his rugby trips to the Aviva Stadium with regular companion and former Irish Times rugby correspondent Edmund van Esbeck.

His wife Pam pre-deceased him in 2007 and he leaves three daughters, Ann-Marie, Jean and Cathy, and a granddaughter, Liadh.

Removal tomorrow evening to the Church of the Assumption, Booterstown Avenue, arriving at 6pm. Funeral on Thursday after 10am Mass to Shanganagh Cemetery.