Ireland

Offaly All-Ireland hero Eugene McGee is laid to rest

Eugene McGee died on Sunday after falling ill at a family function. Picture from RTÉ
Eugene McGee died on Sunday after falling ill at a family function. Picture from RTÉ Eugene McGee died on Sunday after falling ill at a family function. Picture from RTÉ

SENIOR GAA figures were among the hundreds of mourners at the funeral of All-Ireland winning manager and journalist Eugene McGee yesterday.

The 78-year-old father-of-two died suddenly on Sunday while attending a family celebration in Co Kildare.

His funeral was celebrated at St Mel's Cathedral in Longford.

Former GAA director general Liam Mulvihill, past GAA president Sean Kelly, Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin and former Meath manager Sean Boylan were among those who attended.

Former and present journalists and photographers at the Longford Leader formed a guard of honour as Mr McGee's remains arrived at the church.

Mr McGee wrote for the Longford News before becoming editor and managing director of the Longford Leader.

Players with the UCD team, which won seven Sigerson Cup titles in the 1970s and two Dublin County Championships under Mr McGee's management, also formed a guard of honour along with members of Cashel GAA club, which he led to a senior championship success in 1977.

In 1982, Mr McGee led the Offaly senior football team to All-Ireland victory against Kerry.

In his homily, Fr Michael McGrath paid tribute to the spirit and commitment Mr McGee brought to that title run.

Holding up the football used in that game, Fr McGrath said anybody wishing to deny a modern day five-in-a-row title bid should touch the football before they left the funeral.

Mr McGee is survived by his wife Marian, children Conor and Linda and daughter-in-law Saoirse.

Linda, an avid motorbike enthusiast, led the hearse on her bike to the steps of the cathedral.

Mr McGee was buried in Colmcille Cemetery in Co Longford.