GAA President John Horan has joined the tributes to the late Dublin footballer Anton O’Toole, who passed away after a brave battle with illness this morning at the age of 68.
Horan praised O'Toole's important role in the Kevin Heffernan-managed team that rejuventated gaelic games in the capital city.
"The Dublin team of the 70s was responsible for breathing new life into the GAA in the capital," said Horan.
"That team created a surge of interest and popularity in Gaelic games in Dublin that has gone from strength to strength right through to the present day.
"Anton O'Toole was an integral part of that iconic team. A great player, a great sportsman and a great ambassador for club and county.
"He had an army of football admirers throughout Dublin but, also far beyond, and our thoughts are with his family and many friends who mourn the loss of the Templeogue Synge St and Dublin GAA legend."
"Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas síoraí dá anam."
O'Toole played in six consecutive All-Ireland finals, winning four while he also won eight Leinster senior titles.
Dublin greats pay tribute to Anton O'Toole
Many Dublin heroes have been paying tribute to the man nicknamed 'The Blue Panther' and known affectionately to some as simply 'Tooler'
"Had the joy of watching him play and admired so much how he kicked points for fun in his own special way. That joy turned to fun and enjoyment as he got the small white ball around the golf course again in his own special way.
"He was not Tiger but the Blue Panther. Legend," tweeted 1995 All-Ireland winner and current selector Paul Clarke.
"RIP The Blue Panther," added three-time All-Ireland winner Alan Brogan.
Another member of the 1995 team, Vinnie Murphy tweeted: "RIP Anton, you were one of us, maybe the best of us. A gentleman you will be missed."
'Anton O'Toole was a footballing giant and a gentleman'
"Anton O'Toole was a footballing giant and a gentleman both on and off the field of play," said Dublin county board chief executive John Costello.
"The four-time All-Ireland SFC winner was a role model for generation after generation of Dublin footballers.
"The Synge Street legend is held in the highest of esteem by the current Dublin management and players, as he has been since he retired from the inter-county game in 1984.
"Anton was a brilliant forward who combined bravery, ball-winning ability, team ethic, style and scoring return to grace the playing fields of the country."
