Séamus Tuohy - A man who gave so much to so many for so long

They say that death leaves a heartache no-one can heal, and love leaves a memory no-one can steal.

On Tuesday, Séamus Tuohy passed away and left a void no-one can fill. The family he loved so passionately had lost their heartbeat, Breaffy had lost a proud son and Mayo GAA had lost a man who gave so much to so many for so long.

How does one put words on Séamus? It's an impossible task. All I can do is explain the impression he made on me. He might have been at the centre of Mayo GAA, but I loved the fact that he was firstly a husband, father and grandfather. I had deep admiration for the love he had for his wife Marie, their children Shona and Evan and their grandchildren Ave, Aedamar and Isla. He loved Breaffy and Mayo, but he adored his family – and that's his greatest legacy.

Of course, I and many others have had countless interactions with Séamus over the years, on good days and bad. Here are some that give a small flavour of the man who meant so much to so many.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

It's late in the night. The back bar in The Citywest Hotel still has pockets of Mayo people who haven't yet felt the need for sleep. The dawn of another Monday is hovering just below the horizon and people are still trying to fully comprehend what happened in Croke Park more than 12 hours earlier.

The Mayo senior team had come within touching distance of immortality in a pulsating All-Ireland final, only for Dublin to snatch victory by a single point, 2-12 to 1-14. Earlier in the afternoon, the Mayo Minors had ended a 28 year wait to get their hands on the Tom Markham Cup. The Green and Red with Stephen Coen, Diarmuid O'Connor, Conor Loftus and Michael Plunkett in their ranks had come out on top of a thrilling final against Tyrone who had Conor McKenna, Cathal McShane and Frank Burns in their side.

Two goals from Kiltane's Tommy Conroy and a goal and two sweet points from Kilmaine's Darragh Doherty had helped the boys from the west to a memorable 2-13 to 1-13 win.

Séamus was the team's Liaison Officer that year and made an impression on everyone in the group. He had a quiet ability to keep things running smoothly in the background and contributed hugely to the win.

Later that night there are mixed emotions in The Citywest as hundreds gathered to commiserate with the seniors and celebrate with the minors. Eventually, the event draws to a close and the banquet hall empties as morning comes into view.

In the quiet of the back bar, Martina and I sit down and took a breath. It has been a long and busy day (and night) and it’s nice to get a moment away from the madness.

Nearby, sit Séamus and Marie. They are lost in each other. It has been an emotional day for the Breaffy couple. They are sad that Mayo had missed out on the big prize, but happy that the minors have won. However, all that aside, it’s impossible to miss the pride in Marie's eyes. She knows how much effort Séamus has put into the minor campaign and it has paid off wonderfully. She has her arm in his and hugs it tightly as they glory in one another’s company.

FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022

Night is closing in and the huge crowd has long left Hyde Park behind. In one dressing-room the Galway minor team and their mentors are celebrating one of their great nights; in the other the Mayo team and their mentors are coming to terms with the loss of an All-Ireland final.

A stellar season which yielded a Connacht title and victories in the All-Ireland Series against Kildare and Kerry, had ended in heartbreak in the the final in Roscommon.

The Mayo dressing-room is all you'd expect – disappointment drips off the walls and young hearts curse the perceived injustice of sport.

Séamus is there in the midst of it all. His role as County Chairman means he’s in the Green and Red corner in good times and bad. Séamus stands beside the long table in the Hyde Park dressing-room and speaks to everyone in the room. He thanks the group for their dedication to the cause and the wonderful way they have represented Mayo. He speaks about their parents and their clubs and their schools and then he speaks about the bigger picture.

In the quiet of an almost-deserted Hyde Park he tells the devastated group that they have advanced the cause of Mayo football and Sam Maguire isn't far away.

I'm not sure many believed him – until recently.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

It's early evening on a murky September Sunday. I find myself in a group at the edge of the tunnel area in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park as the final moments of the senior championship final are played out. The Moclair Cup sits proudly above us and Ballina Stephenites hold a two-point lead over Breaffy.

Beside me, in the midst of stewards and other reporters stands Séamus. He's engrossed in the game. He's willing Breaffy forward. He might be the top man in Mayo GAA, but he's a Breaffy man to the core of his being. He would love to hand over the cup to a fellow clubman after the final whistle, but it's not looking good. Then, match referee Garryowen McMahon blows long and loud on the whistle and Ballina win their first title since 2007 and their 37th in all. Séamus says nothing, but for a moment one can almost see his heart shatter.

However, five minutes later he lights up the night with a speech heaping praise on the might men from James Stephens Park. He is the leader of Mayo GAA and he fills that role brilliantly as the Stephenites celebrate a famous win.

SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2026

Croke Park is still throbbing. Time is irrelevant. Mayo have won the All-Ireland and we've all gained access to The Promised Land. On the streets outside the famous stadium Mayo supporters are still rubbing their eyes and wondering if what they witnessed was actually true.

Under the Hogan Stand the joy is unconfined. Andy Moran has just spoken to us in the Media Room and we've yet to fully grasp that they great journey is over and we're champions at last.

When Andy departs, we move to the area outside the dressing-rooms to await the players and snatch interviews that will pack the pages of Tuesday's paper.

National media outlets are nearly as happy as the Mayo press-pack. Everyone seems to be enjoying this historic moment and there's a great sense of fun in the group as we wait for the players. Then, some of Mayo's great supporters arrive in out midst. Patrick Carr from Achill, his mother Lorraine and uncle, Padraig Corrigan have smiles as broad as the ocean. Then, Seán Coyne, and his dad Padraig appear beside us and the fun reaches new heights.

Players emerge from the dressing-room with the cup to get pictures with Patrick and Seán and it's amazing to see Sam Maguire in Mayo hands. I don't know if we'll ever get used to it.

Then, quietly Séamus and Marie emerge from the inner sanctum. They've just been in to see the team and management and are slipping away, to enjoy an evening like no other. Before they go, a few Mayo hands are shook. The Breaffy man is beaming with pride – not for himself, but for the players, for Andy, the backroom team, everyone who made it possible and all who had gone before. Then, Marie puts her arm into his and they stroll away down the big tunnel under the Hogan Stand. They love Mayo, love football and love their place, but most of all they love each other. It truly is an evening like no other.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.