Michael Cusack was born in Carron, County Clare. He qualified as a teacher and had a strong interest in sport, particularly athletics. In 1877, he founded Cusack’s Academy in Dublin and organised rugby and hurling teams.

Cusack was also a journalist who understood the power of newspapers to communicate and influence. In 1881, three articles in the Irish Sportsman set out Cusack’s vision for a national athletics body. Three years later he founded the GAA.