Maureen still cheering on Offaly in her 102nd year

Coolderry native Maureen Hanley has once again shown that age is no barrier to sporting passion, attending Offaly's All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter-final against Cork last Sunday as she continues to support her county in her 102nd year.

Maureen, who was born on October 6, 1924, travelled to Semple Stadium, Thurles, to cheer on Offaly, maintaining a lifelong connection to the game that has defined much of her family’s identity.

On the occasion of her 100th birthday, Maureen attributed her long life to her involvement with the GAA and her continued interest in hurling, which has kept her closely connected to her community and county through the decades.

She was born just days before Offaly GAA’s first All-Ireland success in the junior hurling championship. Speaking about her mother, Maureen’s daughter Mary Hanley said the family’s ties to Gaelic games run deep and stretch back generations.

“Her father was a former Dublin footballer, who won five All-Ireland football medals, and her nephew Joe was also an All-Ireland medal winner with Offaly,” Mary explained.