The late Noel 'Flossy' Hogan: a tribute from Birr GAA

A dark cloud hangs over Birr GAA and the entire community after the sad passing of dedicated club stalwart Noel ‘Flossy’ Hogan recently, at the age of 54 following a long illness which he fought courageously and bravely, traits that he demonstrated in abundance throughout his playing career.

‘Flossy’, as he was affectionately known, represented the club with distinction as a player, coach and administrator and he has left a rich legacy of memories and service for which everyone is indebted.

He will be sadly missed by everyone but most acutely his family and Birr GAA extends deepest sympathy to his wife Betty (née O’ Shea, Templemore), children Leon, Niamh, Julie and Mary, his mother Anne, brothers Liam, Paul, Brian and Shane, aunt Norah, uncles Stephen and Chris, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephew, many cousins and a wide circle of friends. He was predeceased by his father William and brothers John and Martin.

A fiercely determined competitor, Noel’s hurling talent was evident from a young age and it was nurtured further when he attended St Brendan’s Presentation Brothers Primary School where he enjoyed great success under the expert stewardship and guidance of Bro Vincent Costin.

From 1982 to ‘84, Noel was an integral cog of immensely skilful Birr Community Games squads that won national medals in three consecutive years, bronze in Gaelic football in ‘82, hurling silver in ‘83 followed by hurling gold a year later. It is a feat that is never likely to be emulated.

Throughout the 1980s Birr were a dominant underage GAA force and Noel savoured multiple successes from U14 to minor level and in the U21 grade with St Brendan’s.

Included among his vast underage medals haul are three minor hurling championship medals, won in 1985, ‘87 and ‘88, and he also captured three Offaly U21 hurling championship medals in ‘88, ‘90 and ‘91. That 1991 U21 final against St Mary's (Shinrone/Ballyskenach) was much delayed and wasn’t played until April 1992, but it was a particularly memorable occasion for ‘Flossy’ as he had the distinction of captaining the side and accepting the Teehan Cup.

As he had shown in the Community Games National Finals at Mosney, Noel was also a very capable Gaelic footballer and he was part of the Birr team that famously defeated Clara in 1984 to claim the Offaly U14 ‘A’ football championship title.

When Offaly minor hurlers, managed by Pat Joe Whelahan, retained the Irish Press Cup and their All-Ireland crown by defeating Tipperary in 1987 at Croke Park, Noel was part of the triumphant panel. He also lined out with Offaly minors in 1988; however, their reign as Leinster and All-Ireland champions was halted in the provincial final by Kilkenny. Noel went on to represent Offaly at U21 level, winning a Leinster Championship medal in 1991 but All-Ireland honours eluded this squad as they succumbed to Galway in the final at the Gaelic Grounds.

1991 turned out to be a truly memorable year for Noel and Birr as the club bridged a 20 years gap to win the Sean Robbins Cup following a dramatic county final victory over Seir Kieran.

Birr, with Ken Hogan at the helm along with Pat Joe Whelahan & the late Herbert Hennessy, went on to secure a historic first ever Leinster Club Championship title when they overcame the Fennelly backboned Ballyhale Shamrocks in the provincial final at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise. Birr progressed to a maiden All-Ireland club final appearance but they unfortunately faltered to Conor Hayes inspired Kiltormer at Semple Stadium.

Noel and Birr finally reached the promised land of the club hurling summit in April of 1995 at Croke Park. Featuring at half back, Noel was a driving force as Birr defeated Seir Kieran in the 1994 SHC final and in the Leinster Final they got the better of Oulart-the-Ballagh following an intense replayed encounter. In the All-Ireland semi-final, Birr defeated Kilmallock and in the All-Ireland final, after another replay, they got past Dunloy and got their hands on the coveted Tommy Moore Cup for the first time.

While his career was hampered by injury at various stages, Noel always possessed the resilience and defiance to bounce back, and from 1997 to 1999 he was the heartbeat of the Birr intermediate side that historically won three Offaly intermediate hurling championship titles in succession.

He captained the side in ‘97, coincidentally yet another final (against Ballinamere), that was won following a replay! Noel, indeed, took great pride in the fact that he was one of just eight players that featured in all three of those intermediate successes.

A leader and motivator who always set high standards for himself, it was not surprising that Noel possessed a great passion for coaching and managing teams and he was involved with guiding underage teams and the junior hurling team. He also enjoyed his involvement with Birr Camogie Club teams over a number of years.

Noel continuously went above and beyond for the betterment of Birr GAA Club, and he served on the club committee for several years before taking the reins for a spell as Chairperson and he was a major influence and driving force behind the St Brendan’s Park that is there today.

Noel worked for many years with An Post and his passing is not only a huge loss to his family and the club but also to the wider community and the town of Birr that he loved so well. May he rest in peace.