Seán O'Duffy

Seán O'Duffy (; 1886 – 20 October 1981) was an Irish sports administrator. For 40 years, he was heavily involved in the development of camogie in Ireland; coordinating it on a national level. O'Duffy's contributions to camogie have been widely respected and the title "Mr. Camogie," is often associated with him.

Early life

O'Duffy was born in the year 1886, in Cill an Bhaile (Killawalla), County Mayo, Ireland; a town not far from Westport. O'Duffy was a member of the A Company in the 1st Battalion, in the Four Courts Garrison, under his commanding officer, D. O'Callaghan. He fought in the most hectic battlegrounds in North King Street to Church Street sector, including: North King St., Columbhille Hall, North Brunswick St., the Linenhall Barracks on Lisborn St., and Church St. One family recounts the story of how when one of their family members fell, according to witness reports, O’Duffy helped to carry their fallen kin to the hospital.

Later life and death In his later years, O'Duffy became established in the world of GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), and, the traditional Irish sport of camogie. O'Duffy, known as "Mr. Camogie", donated the O’Duffy cup for the winners of the first All-Ireland Camogie Championship in 1932. O’Duffy also campaigned to the Dublin Corporation for more playing fields in 1934. In 1940 he married Kathleen McKeown from Omeath, a prominent camogie referee. In 1966, O'Duffy marched at the head of the veterans for the 1916 memorial service when they marched to the GPO. Shortly after, on 29 March 1979, the radio programme 'Highways and Byways' interviewed O'Duffy for their 1916 archives, in which he described finding out Patrick Pearse had surrendered during the 1916 rising.

He joined the Irish Civil Service in 1925 and worked there until his retirement, living in 50 Cashmir Road in Harold's Cross, Dublin. He died on 20 October 1981 in Meath Hospital after a short illness and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.