A former Tyrone GAA player who died suddenly at the weekend was among a group of "radical, innovative and visionary people" who helped shape the modern association in the county.
Beragh native Frank Rodgers died at his home in the Co Tyrone village on Sunday.
The 82-year-old spent a lifetime steeped in Gaelic games as both a player and administrator.
In 1958, he had the unique distinction of playing for his county at minor, junior and senior level in the same year.
For more than three decades he was a central figure in the development of the GAA at county and club level.
Read More: Tyrone GAA to honour many of its 1973 treble-winning heroes at Garvaghey
After retiring from football due to injury, he became heavily involved in the administration of the game, serving as Tyrone GAC secretary from 1975 to 2000.
Mr Rodgers was also a stalwart with his own club, Beragh Red Knights, and was secretary there from 1968 to 1992.
A former teacher at St Mary's College, Irvinestown, in Co Fermanagh, Mr Rodgers broke new ground for the GAA in the 1970s when he reported on Gaelic Games for BBC Radio Ulster's Sunday Sportsound - a role he held for three decades from 1974 to 1994.
He also won two GAA McNamee Awards in 1979 and 2004, the latter for an article following the death of former Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen.
His son Alan, a well-known GAA and news journalist, has followed in his father's footsteps.
A father-of-five, Mr Rodgers's life long love of Gaelic games never dimmed.
On Saturday he travelled to Bryansford in Co Down to watch his grandson Eoin Campbell, who plays for Belfast-based Bredagh GAC, help the club lift the county under 13 grade one league title.
In a statement posted online Tyrone GAA played tribute to Mr Rodgers.
"Tyrone’s modern position as a GAA power is these days largely taken for granted," the statement said.
"But for decades it was anything but that, and Frank was one of a group of radical, innovative and visionary people who changed the path of GAA history here from the mid-1900s onwards."
His contribution as club secretary for almost a quarter of a century was highlighted.
"Alongside that, he was heavily involved in the strategic reshaping and restructuring of Tyrone GAA in the 1970s, moving on to become one of Tyrone’s key administrators all through the 1980s and 1990s," the statement said.
His foresight was also recognised.
"A believer, again before his time, in the importance of PR, communication and marketing, Frank also pioneered this work at club and county levels," the statement said.
"But never, ever with himself as its focus."
The statement offered sympathies to Mr Rodgers's family, friends and GAA community.
Mr Rodgers is predeceased by his son Paul and is survived by his wife Clare, daughters Aidene and Helen and sons Eamon and Alan and eight grandchildren.
