This week is a massive week for Offaly GAA as our Senior Footballers and Hurlers get their Championship campaign’s underway next weekend.
On Sunday morning (5th May 2019), Offaly County Board held their Championship Launch in the Faithful Fields in conjunction with the launch of the 1982 “Replica” Jersey.
On a morning tinged with sadness following the sudden passing of Eugene McGee – the man who masterminded Offaly’s 1982 All Ireland win and ended the Kerry dream of five in a row, it was a morning full of stories of old as members of the heroic 1982 team joined the current players.
Sunday saw members of the 1982 All Ireland winning team attend with members of all our County Squads who are all either in the midst of their Championship campaigns or in the case of our Senior Footballers and Hurlers who get into action this weekend.
Speaking at the event, County Board Chairman Tommy Byrne welcomed one and all to the Faithful Fields. Paying special Tribute to Eugene McGee he led the Faithful Offaly supporters in a minutes silence.
Also speaking on the day were Richie Connor – Team Captain of 1982 who thanked the County Board for organising the event. He spoke in brilliant admiration of Eugene McGee and he spoke on behalf of all the 1982 team and wished the Offaly teams the very best of luck “There is nothing more than we would like to do than to build our Summers around going to Croke Park to see you play and rather than talking about us we will be talking about all of you”
Offaly Senior Hurling and Football Managers Kevin Martin and John Maughan spoke also and they reflected too on Eugene and the wonderful achievement of 1982.
Urging the people of Offaly to come out and support they called for everyone to get behind the teams. “We are no world beaters but I can guarantee that we will be honest and we will play with pride”
By kenny Sun 5th May
