Offaly GAA in mourning following death of Andy Gallagher

There is widespread sadness in the Offaly GAA community this week following the passing of former senior hurling manager and team selector Andy Gallagher.

Gallagher passed away peacefully in his 90th year, in the exceptional care of the staff of Esker Rí Nursing Home, Clara.

An iconic GAA figure in the Faithful County, Gallagher was at the managerial helm when Offaly created history by winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time in 1981.

Gallagher also served as a team selector under then manager Eamon Cregan when Offaly won the All-Ireland senior hurling title in 1994 with a dramatic final flourish against Limerick.

Prior to his management and selector roles with the Offaly senior hurling team, he served as the county's custodian on over 60 occasions during the 1950s and 1960s.

When his intercounty management career ended, Gallagher served as County Board treasurer, joint treasurer or assistant treasure for much of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s.

Paying tribute, Offaly GAA said Gallagher had "dedicated almost his entire life to the promotion of Gaelic games at both club and county level".

"A dual player with Tullamore GAA, Andy enjoyed a sterling career as a goalkeeper at county level in hurling, before going on to manage Offaly’s first All-Ireland senior hurling winning team. He was also a committed administrator for over 50 years, and few could equal his contribution to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael".

Offaly GAA said Gallagher wore the "green, white and gold of Offaly with pride", particularly during his time as goalkeeper with the senior hurling team "from 1955 until the Spring of 1969".

The "accomplished dual player" also achieved numerous honours in both football and hurling playing codes "embellishing his medal collection" with county medals at underage and senior levels.

Following the conclusion of his playing career, Gallagher "immersed himself in administration and team management", serving the roles of treasurer and secretary at both club and county levels.

"Gallagher was also Offaly’s delegate to Leinster Council, a position he held from the mid-1970s to 2009, during which time he successfully championed the case for the introduction of an open draw in the Leinster senior hurling championship.

"The fruits of his labour and lobbying were evident in 1980, when he managed Offaly, under the captaincy of Padraig Horan, to become Leinster senior hurling champions for the first time ever. A year later, he guided the same group of players to win the Liam McCarthy Cup for the first time".

Citing Gallagher to be a "proud son of The Faithful County", the Offaly GAA 'Hall of Fame' inductee leaves a "legacy which will live long into the future".

Gallagher is the second revered Tullamore GAA personality to die in a short space of time, following the recent death of Phil O'Reilly.

Offaly Gaels will forever fondly remember Gallagher as the manager who firstly achieved a Leinster senior hurling championship win in 1980 before leading his charges, alongside coach Diarmuid Healy, to the 'promised land' one year later.

Andy will be sadly missed by his loving family Pat, Sheila, Mark and Maria, daughters in law Bernie and Karen, sons in law Aiden and Martin, his adored grandchildren Andrew, David, Eimear, Ciara, Aisling, Leah, Rachel, Ailbhe, Isabel, Clodagh and Andy and his great grandson Conor, brother John, sisters Mary and Una, brother in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and his wide circle of GAA friends.

Andy will repose at the home of his son Mark in Clonminch, Tullamore (R35 E6X6) on Thursday from 2pm until 7pm.

Removal will take place from his home in Henry Street on Friday morning at 9.45am to the Church of The Assumption, Tullamore, arriving for Funeral Mass at 10am. Burial after Mass in Clonminch Cemetery, Tullamore.

May he rest in peace.