Boothman, the first-ever Protestant president of the GAA, held the highest position in the association between 1994 and 1997. He was also a vet in the Department of Agriculture and an active member of his local GAA club in Blessington, Co Wicklow.

Blessington GAA published a statement on its website on Tuesday morning, saying the club "sadly learned this morning of the passing of our lifetime member, former player, club official in several capacities and present club Trustee, Jack Boothman.

"We were immensely proud of his achievements nationally and we know he took huge pride in his own club."

The statement added that as a mark of respect the club will be closing its pitches and the facilities for the rest of the week.

Pat Hennessy, former Laois IFA county chair, knew Boothman when they both worked in the Department of Agriculture back in the 1970s. Boothman worked as a vet and Hennessey worked as an agricultural officer.

"He'd always be carrying around a bundle of papers relating to teams and plans for matches and so on," Hennessy said. "He was a GAA man through and through and would be at a match nearly every evening."

He oversaw an important period in the GAA when Croke Park was being redeveloped and he fought for the abolition of Rule 21, which debarred members of the British forces from joining the Association

Hennessy, who was actively involved in his own local GAA club in Kyle, Co Laois, recalls a time when the burgeoning club was considering buying a pitch.

"I rang Jack for advice on buying the pitch and he told me it wasn't something that could be discussed over the phone. He drove down the next day to discuss it with us and give us advice on how to get funding, etc. That was the kind of man he was."

Hennessy also recalled Boothman's work as a vet in the Laois/Kildare area, a role which gave him a distinctive scar on his forehead.

"He was attacked by a heifer in Portarlington one year," he said. "He was very lucky to come out of that alive."

Tributes

Tributes have been pouring in from all over the country since the news of his passing. Members of the public, GAA clubs and political parties have all expressed sympathies.

Timmy Dooley TD, Fianna Fáil sports spokesperson, expressed his sympathies, saying Jack Boothman was a “passionate GAA man and a great servant of our national games.”

“He oversaw an important period in the GAA when Croke Park was being redeveloped and he fought for the abolition of Rule 21, which debarred members of the British forces from joining the Association. He was hugely committed to his community through his involvement with the GAA, and he was immensely proud of his own club, of which he also served as president."

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams TD has also expressed his condolences on hearing the news. He said: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Boothman this morning. He did great work during his time as President of the GAA and long-time involvement with the association."

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