There is always a danger when a renowned sporting figures dies to acclaim their passing as the death of a legend. Few, though, would dispute that accolade being granted to the former Llanelli, Wales and Lions centre Ray Gravell who died suddenly last week aged just 56.

I first met him about five years ago when managing Connacht. We were playing Cardiff in the Arms Park and Ray was working for the Welsh language TV station S4C.

He was getting a few pre-match sound-bites from Derwyn Jones, the 6'10" former Welsh lock who was managing Cardiff at the time, and he addressed him in the Welsh language.

He still seemed to be jibbering away in Welsh live on television when he addressed me and it took a few seconds before I realised he was speaking in Irish!

But that was the way he was. He didn't just meet people, he embraced them and everything about them. He loved Ireland and all things Irish but, then again, he seemed to just love everything.

It wasn't just that here was a guy who had done it all ? starred on winning sides for club, country and the Lions ? but he had a personality to surpass any of those achievements.

It is hard to think of anyone else who would get away with approaching a coach on the sideline during a match and, live on television, ask him for his views on the try that his side had just conceded!

But this guy did it, week after week, usually ending the brief interview with the belief it was only a matter of time before there would be a score at the other end. As far as Gravell was concerned, there was always a bright side.

They named a street after him in Llanelli. It is only a few weeks ago he made his way into the Connacht dugout in Stradey Park to thank Michael Bradley, Eric Elwood and all the others from Connacht for sending him a signed jersey when he was ill earlier this year and had one of his legs amputated.

He returned to radio and television in recent weeks ? he was also an accomplished actor ?and everyone looked forward to a new chapter developing in his remarkable life.

Sadly, that was not to be and he died suddenly while abroad on holiday.

Comings and goings

The end of a season will inevitably see a lot of comings and goings and it is no different at Galway United where the curtain comes down on the current campaign against UCD at Terryland Park on Friday night.

On and off the field there will be changes and one of the men stepping down will be club secretary Bernie O'Connell.

Not that he will be going to a quieter life! Bernie took over this week as principal of Colaiste Iognaid and needs to give that demanding role his full attention.

Bernie has been club secretary for the past three seasons but that is just one of several positions he has held within the club down through the years. Indeed, very few positive developments have happened at the club over the years that he wasn't involved in at some level.

It is people like Bernie who give of their time so generously that makes things better for others.

No doubt he will be back at Galway United in some capacity or other before too long.