‘Mick’s passion for the club was unwavering’
Birr GAA has paid a glowing tribute to the late Mick Hogan, the club's life president, who passed away on Tuesday last.
The club said Michael (Mick) Hogan was "one of the personalities who give Birr GAA club its heart and soul".
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of the GAA. They are the people who give their time, energy and passion to ensure that our clubs not only survive, but thrive from one generation to the next," said the club tribute, describing Mick as "certainly one of those people".
Life President of Birr GAA Club, Mick of Sandymount/Newbridge Street, Birr, Co Offaly passed away peacefully, after a long and happy life, in his 89th year, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, and in the care of the dedicated staff of the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
“He served as secretary of Birr GAA for 17 consecutive years, from 1969 to 1986, and in the years after, his commitment extended far beyond the administrative duties he undertook,” said the Birr GAA tribute.
"He remained loyal to the club, was ever present, ever willing and anxious to help whenever he could. Whether it was selling lotto tickets, stewarding or providing transport for players, he was always there, giving whatever he could for the cause he held so dear. Through good times and bad, there are familiar faces and personalities who give a club its heart and soul and Mick Hogan was one of those people.
"He was club secretary in 1971 when Birr famously ended a 23 years wait to become Offaly senior hurling champions for the tenth time. It was two decades before Birr would savour Sean Robbins Cup glory again. However, throughout the 1970s and 80s the club made considerable strides at underage level. Mick’s passion for the club was unwavering, his loyalty unquestionable, and his love for Birr GAA deeply rooted,” the tribute continued.
Mick played senior hurling with Birr during the '60s and he served as a selector with several successful teams underage teams in the 1970s and '80s. "It was lovely to see many of the players from those sides in online messages of sympathy recall, in particular, trips to Féile na nGael in Cork and Kilkenny during the late '70s," said the club.
"He derived immense pleasure from the triumphs of Offaly and Birr teams throughout his lifetime and was a fanatical supporter and while he may have struggled somewhat with his mobility in latter years, that didn’t prevent him from getting to games no matter what part of the county or country they were played in.
“Mick enjoyed stewarding at events, GAA homecomings and matches, and on September 29, 1979 he was part of a Birr group that was on stewarding duty at the Phoenix Park during the visit of Pope John Paul II,” continued the club tribute.
"Indeed, throughout the 80s a group of stewards from Birr GAA made the journey, mostly to Croke Park, every summer Sunday to help with the organisation of big inter-county fixtures. The banter between the crew on the mini bus (or the gravy train!) was always quite memorable as they debated and dissected the key moments of the game in between the odd game of ‘25'. Or a lively argument over politics and the hot issues of the day.
“A great neighbour and friend, Mick worked at the old Birr moquette factory before taking up employment with Bord na Móna at Derrinlough. He enjoyed his card game and meeting people and he attended ‘25 card drives at several community halls inside and outside the county. He is a powerful example of what it truly means to be a volunteer and when he retired from work he spent a number of years as chairperson of the Marian Hall committee.
“While Mick’s legacy will live on in the club he loved so dearly, his passing leaves a great void, especially for his family, his beloved wife Cepta and daughter Michelle (who followed in her father’s footsteps by serving as Birr GAA secretary for many years and she is currently Offaly GAA Children’s Officer) and his two sons, Cormac and Declan,” added the club tribute.
Mick will also be sadly missed by his adored grandchildren Niamh, Sinéad, Cormac, Fiona, Fionn and Laoise, his daughters-in-law Samantha and Alva, Michelle’s partner Pat, his sisters-in-law Tess and Mary and his brother-in-law Paddy, the extended Hogan and Barry families, his neighbours, many friends and the wider Birr GAA community.
He was predeceased by his brothers Billy, Tommy, Jim and Johnny, and his sisters Molly, Sally, Bridie and Frances.
Mick will lie in repose at Boyd's Funeral Home, Birr (R42 YF75) this evening (Friday), October 30 from 5pm to 7pm. Removal on Saturday morning to St Brendan’s Church, Birr arriving for Funeral Mass at 11am, followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery, Birr. May he rest in peace.