Tributes are pouring in for GAA stalwart Pat King, 67, who died on Monday morning following a short period of illness.

Described as “exemplifying the quality and versatility that only great players posses”, Pat played for his native Trillick and for Tyrone in the 1970s and 1980s, captaining his county at one stage. Upon taking up a job as teacher in St. Eugene’s, Rosslea in 1970, he moved to Lisnaskea, where he played for and later managed Lisnaskea Emmetts.

After retirement in 2003, he coached a number of school football teams and was heavily involved in the Vocational School’s Council.

A “top quality manager”, in 1988 he brought the Emmetts to their first league title in 30 years, the Canon Maguire Cup. He went on to manage the Fermanagh senior team in 1996, taking the team to an All Ireland B Final against Longford, which they won after a replay. Under his management, Fermanagh won the McKenna Cup final in 1997, defeating Tyrone 2-11 to 3-4. He was one of the few County managers to win silverware on two occasions. In 1999, Pat managed Fermanagh to their first win in an Ulster Championship in seven years and in 2000 he brought Fermanagh to within a point of an Ulster final – they were defeated by Armagh, who went on to win the title.

Recalling “one of the most decorated players” in their club’s history, Trillick St. Macartans said they were saddened to learn of the death of “a legend” who won five Senior Championship medals and captained the team to its only League and Championship double in 1983. They recalled how he helped Tyrone win an Ulster title in 1973, scoring a goal in Croke Park against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Lisnaskea Emmetts paid tribute to a man who was “responsible for a glorious era in our club’s proud history,” stating: “During his playing career he represented both Ulster and Tyrone winning a Railway Cup Medal and also an Ulster SFC Medal along with two McKenna Cup Medals. He also won five Tyrone Senior Football Championship Medals and seven Senior Football League Medals with Trillick and a Senior Championship with the Emmetts.” The club states: “In 1991 the Emmetts completed the ‘Double’ winning both the Senior League and Championship. Another championship was to follow in 1994 making the period from 1988-1994 under the management reign of Pat and Peter Clarke the most successful era in the Emmetts history since the glory days of the Tommy Durnien years in the 1940s and 1950s.” Pat’s death will leave “a massive void”, according to former Fermanagh Manager Malachy O’Rourke.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, he says: “I knew Pat through teaching in the schools. He was one of the more experienced PE teachers in the county when I started in 1990.

“He was one of the teachers I would look up to because of his knowledge and how he conducted himself.

“He was always a complete sportsman to deal with and he always had the good of the boys at heart.” “A great all rounder who had a great knowledge and love for all types of sport,” Pat was also “a top quality manager with a great knowledge of the game.” As a player under Pat when he was coming to the end of his Fermanagh career, Malachy recalls: “Whatever he said, you listened and respected.” In recent years, the pair played golf together, most recently in an Errigal Ciaran golf classic.

“He was a likeable, interesting man, with great life experience. It was always competitive with Pat. He was a perfectionist who was disappointed in himself if his shots didn’t go to plan,” Malachy laughs, adding: “He was great craic as well.” “He will be a massive loss to his family and also to the world of sport and the many organisations he was involved with, including the GAA and vocational schools.” Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín also expressed her shock at the death of the former Fermanagh GAA manager, saying: “Pat was a towering footballer with his native club Trillick and the Tyrone County team, and he later played for Lisnaskea Emmets when he moved to Fermanagh. He always gave of his best on the field of play and he did likewise when he managed the Fermanagh Senior Football team in the late 1990s, guiding them to a Dr McKenna Cup victory in 1997.

“He will be sadly missed by the GAA family and particularly the followers of the game in Fermanagh and Tyrone. Above all, however, Pat was a family man and his loss will be felt greatest by them. I express my condolences to them on their sad loss.” At St. Eugene’s College, Rosslea on Tuesday, staff were coming to terms with the loss of “a visionary”. They stated: “Pat King taught in St Eugene’s College all his teaching life.

“He was loved by staff and pupils alike. He was a visionary, ahead of his time; time he devoted to the pupils of St Eugene’s, the Roslea Youth Club and young people from the surrounding areas.

“A gifted teacher with a formidable presence, Pat took great delight in taking pupils on extra-curricular activities to England, Scotland, Ireland and Europe.

“He gave selflessly of his time, infusing passion with purpose, commitment with accomplishment and knowledge with understanding.

“A truly remarkable man, outgoing and pupil-centred, he will always be remembered as the true embodiment of a caring teacher who gave – so that others could succeed. May he rest in peace.” Further tributes were paid by Bryansford GAC (Pat’s son Shane is a former player), who described him as “a true Gael and friend” and the Executive Committee of Ulster Post Primary Schools, who stated: “Pat, a former Vice-Chairman, Secretary and PRO of our Committee gave a lifetime’s dedication to schools in Fermanagh and Ulster and his wisdom and guidance was freely given and gratefully received.”