Gaelic Games/Death of Jack Mahon: The Galway 1956 All-Ireland football medal winner Jack Mahon, whose death took place on Saturday night, had published his 19th book just over a week ago.

Titled Memories, the book takes a journey through his eventful life from his playing days to his work as a GAA administrator, teacher, columnist and author.

His death, in his early 70s, is the latest in what has been a grim year for the GAA in Galway. His 1956 playing colleague Mattie McDonagh, the only Connacht man to win four All-Ireland medals, died earlier this year, and Seán Purcell, one of the key figures in the three-in-a-row triumph of the mid-1960s, passed away recently.

A year and a half ago Enda Colleran, who captained the winning team in 1965 and 1966, died.

"It has been a terribly sad period for the GAA in Galway," said Pat Egan, the chairman of Galway Football Board.

"Jack Mahon made a huge contribution to the GAA both on and off the field. He maintained his great sense of humour and great outlook on life right up to the end. He will be sadly missed as he made an impact on so many people," added Egan.

A teacher, who retired in 1993 after serving as principal of Moneenageisha Community School for 24 years, he was one of the first to write a book about his time as a GAA player when he launched Twelve Glorious Years in 1965.

A native of Dunmore, with whom he won several county titles, he often recalled an occasion in his early teaching days at Fr Griffin Technical School in Galway. He remarked to four unruly students who were wearing him down in his classroom that, with their attitude, none of them would ever achieve anything in life.

The miscreants would go on to confound him: Christy O'Connor jnr became a Ryder Cup hero; John Connolly was Galway's first hurling All Star; Val O'Brien became a successful horse trainer; and Tommy Lally would play in goal for Glasgow Celtic and manage Galway United.

Jack Mahon is survived by his wife, Eileen, daughters Lisa and Genevieve, and sons John, Pearse, Karl and Branwell.

His body will be reposing at the O'Flaherty Funeral Home in Galway city this afternoon from 3.30pm, with removal at 7pm to Christ the King Church in Salthill. He will be cremated at Mount Jerome Cemetery on Thursday.