The Man Behind The GAA's Most Important Ever Rule Change Has Died

At the grand old age of 99, Tom Woulfe has died. A Kerryman from Ballybunion, albeit one who lived most of his life in Dublin, Woulfe was a well known administrator in the GAA.

Woulfe was a founder member of the Civil Service GAA club in Islandbridge in Dublin. He managed the team to the Dublin county championship in 1943.

However, he is best remembered for his campaign to abolish Rule 27, the infamous ban on GAA members playing or attending foreign sports.

Sean Moran has detailed how Woulfe's first call to drop the ban came way back in 1959. It was 12 years before the campaign would come to fruition.