By John Harrington

Long-serving Clare footballer, Michael O’Shea, has tragically passed away at the age of 37 following a brave battle with cancer.

A member of An Garda Síochána, he is survived by his wife Orlaith and young daughter Éirinn, his parents Joe and Elizabeth, his brother John and sister Oonagh.

The St. Senan’s, Kilkee GAA club-man lined out for Clare at senior level for 15 seasons in a stellar inter-county career that stretched from 1999 to 2014.

He was Clare’s best player in the 2012 Munster Final defeat to Cork, kicking four points, and won McGrath Cup medals in 2002 and 2008, when he was team captain.

His inter-county career ended on a high when he helped Clare win promotion from Division 4 of the Allianz Football League in 2014.

Clare football captain, Gary Brennan, today told GAA.ie that everyone who knew Michael will miss him dearly.

“It's awful news, terribly sad,” said Brennan. “We knew he had been sick, but for Michael to be taken from us at such a young age is just very sad.

“For all his family and club-mates and friends around Kilkee especially, it's a very sad time.

“Michael was a great servant for Clare football and was just a brilliant influence around the place. He was a guy who was always positive and encouraging to younger fellas and a guy you could always go to and have a chat with if you wanted to bounce ideas off him.

“He was a really positive influence and a really good example to the younger fellas when we were coming on the squad on how to prepare and how to look after yourself and how to approach games.

“Aside from having an excellent personality, he was a damn good footballer on top of it. He was one of our best forwards for a long number of years and played consistently well for a very long time.

“He looked after himself really well and was always just a real good team-mate and a real good friend.”

On the club scene, O’Shea won two county senior championships with his beloved St. Senan’s in 2003 and 2005, and on both occasions helped them reach the Munster Club SFC Final where they were beaten by Kerry’s An Ghaeltacht and Cork’s Nemo Rangers respectively.

Playing at either centre-forward or full-forwad, his heroics in the Clare championship made him a local legend.

A statement published today by the St. Senan’s Kilkee GAA club on their Facebook page today read:

"Our hearts are absolutely aching today with the pain of the loss of our brother Michael O'Shea - arguably the greatest footballer ever to wear the blue & white jersey of St. Senan's Kilkee. Michael passed away yesterday in the loving arms of his family following the bravest fought battle with cancer.

"His determination to beat the illness should not have surprised any of us who ever witnessed his determination on a football field. He fought a long tough battle with courage, strength and dignity - all the attributes that were earned in hard county and club training sessions and battles on the football field over almost three decades.

"Michael is known the length and breadth of the country for his footballing ability, but he was much more than just a great footballer. He was a great friend, family man, work colleague and a true blue. Anyone that knew Michael holds him in the highest regard, and that is a testament to his character and personality.

"His untimely passing will undoubtedly leave a large void in all of our lives, but Michael has left a legacy that will live forever.

"Whether your memory is his shouts of encouragement to fellow players, his lung busting runs down the field to score some of the best points ever seen, his celebrations when Kilkee or Clare took the lead, or simply that cheeky smile that might greet you across the street, those memories will live with us all for eternity.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Michael's beloved wife Orlaith, his adored daughter Éirinn, his parents Joe & Elizabeth, brother John & his wife Edel, sister Oonagh & her husband Oisin, his nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and the Fitzgerald family.

"Our club will stand with you in your time of grief and Michael's memory will live forever in our club.

"Ar dheis de go raibh a anam."

GAA President, John Horan, also paid a tribute to Michael O'Shea today. He said: “On behalf of the Association I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family of Michael O’Shea on his recent passing.

“Michael was someone who embodied everything positive about the GAA. His commitment to his county’s cause was unflinching and saw him serve with distinction for 15 years, an incredible career of service and one made all the more significant coming in a county that did not always enjoy big days out at Croke Park.

“After his playing career was over he immediately went about giving back and was immersed in club coaching. The tributes paid to him from team mates and colleagues speak volumes about the calibre of a man we were lucky to have involved in our games.

“He leaves a void in Clare football and in St Senan’s, Kilkee but mostly with his family and friends, with whom we offer our sympathies.

“Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dhilís.”