Men who represented Offaly

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Part 1:
This is just a brief history of the men who represented ST Rynaghs Football Club at county level throughout the years. By Noel “Matty” Rosney

Johnny Wynne

Johnny won an Offaly Senior Football championship medal in 1945 when Cloghan beat Rhode by 1- 6 to 1- 2. He was also a member of the Offaly team which reached the Leinster Football Senior Final of that year loosing narrowly to Wexford on a score line of Offaly 1-4 Wexford 1-9. Johnny has given many years loyal service to his club and remains an avid supporter of his club to this day.

Jimmy Barry

One of Jimmy’s proudest moments was in 1947 when in the replayed Leinster minor football final in Mullingar when Offaly overcame Dublin 1-7 to 1-5. In a team that included Jimmy and Offaly greats Mick Furlong, Kevin Scally, Paddy Fenlon, Paddy Casey and captain Paddy Hanamy of Doon (an uncle of our own Legend Martin Hanamy). Offaly lost that All-Ireland semi final by a solitary point to eventual winners Tyrone. Jimmy also lined out on the Cloghan intermediate team of 1955 that beat Clara in the county final. A great player for club and county.

Myles Nugent

When Gaelic Football is discussed in Cloghan or indeed Offaly Myles Nugent name will always come to the fore. Wicklow born Myles won a senior football championship medal in 1945 when they beat Rhode in the final. He also won an Intermediate medal in 1955 vs Clara. He played on the losing Cloghan teams in Senior Football county final vs St Marys in 1947,In 1951 when Edenderry won by 1 point , Tullamore in 1956 and St Patricks in 1959. At Inter County Level Myles lined out at conor back on the Offaly team that reached the Leinster Senior Football final of 1954. This team is regarded by astute Offaly gaels as the greatest team that never won an All Ireland Final. Offaly lost the Leinster final to Meath with a team comprising of such greats, The Casey brothers Paddy and Mick, Mick Furlong, Peter Nolan, Christy Carroll, Mick Brady and Noel McGee, Meath won that match by 4-7 to 2-10. In 1955 Myles played in the delayed O’Byrne cup Final of 1954 against Louth in Croke Park with Offaly winning by two points 0-10 to 1-5. Noel McGee from Tullamore captained the team and was the first Offaly man to receive a football trophy in Croke Park. Myles played his last match for Offaly in a national football league game in 1957 vs Cavan. His sudden death on the 24th September 1960at the yound age of 37 stunned his club and county team mates. His name will always be remembered in Cloghan and county Offaly when great players are being discussed.

Greg Hughes

Greg first came to prominence in 1959 as a top class defender winning an All-Ireland inter firms medal with Bord na Mona. He also lined out with Cloghan that year in the Senior County Football final against St Patricks. He lined out at full back on the Offaly team that won a historic first Leinster senior football title in 1960 against Louth and for good measure his brother Patsy R.I.P was a sub that day. He won his second Leinster medal again at full back with the greats John Egan and Paddy McCormack forming a great full back line in 1961. Offaly lost a highly controversial All-Ireland to Down in 1961 by one point 3-6 to 2-8. He won his third Leinster medal in 1969 against Kildare along with fellow club man Seam Mahon who was sub goal keeper. They beat Cavan after a reply in the All-Ireland semi final and lost the final to Kerry by 0-10 to 0-7. He did win that cherished All-Ireland senior medal on the 26th September 1971 when Offaly beat Galway 1-14 to 2-8. His railway cup career is well documented playing in five finals winning three 1959, 1961 and 1962. Greg captained the team in 1962 when Leinster beat Ulster in the final. When his playing days ended he was part of the management team when Offaly won the Leinster U21 football title in 1986. His proudest moment was when St Rynaghs won the senior B Football Final in 1988 beating St John’s in the final. Greg trained this team to win the final. A great servant of club and county Greg Hughes.

A proud day for St Rynaghs football Club when in 1962 when Offaly won the Leinster minor football final beating Dublin by 2-8 to 1-4. KK Kenny captained that team and his fellow club mates Seamus Grogan and Seamus Dolan played a prominent part in that victory. Kerry beat Offaly in the All-Ireland semi final that year. In 1965 Offaly reached the Leinster U21 football final loosing by four points to eventual All-Ireland U21 champions Kildare. St Rynaghs had four men on that starting fifteen in that final, Damien McIntyre and his brother PJ, Paudge Mulhare and Seamus Grogan. Interestingly PJ McIntyre joined the Garda Síochána and was stationed in Kenmare Co. Kerry winning a national football league medal in 1974 when the kingdom defeated Roscommon in the Final.

Part 2

Johnny Coughlan, Damien McIntyre and Michael Kenny

Johnny Coughlan, Damien McIntyre and Michael Kenny were valued members of the famous football team of 1964. This team beat Cork in the All Ireland minor final that year in a nail biting finish. Offaly won by one point Offaly 0-15 Cork 1-11. Johnny lined out at left corner back, Damien at full forward and Michael was a sub that day. This team is regarded as the greatest minor football team of all time. It was the first minor team to produce eight All Ireland senior medalist on the field of play and five all stars and three Texaco football of the year awards. Johnny, Damien & Michael backboned the St Rynaghs U21 football winning side of 1965 when they beat Ballycumber in the final. Johnny Coughlan, Michael Kenny and the late Damien McIntyre names are enshrined in Offaly GAA folklore forever.

Padraig Horan

Padraig’s name will always be associated with the small ball game but a lot of people did not know that he played in a Lenister U21 football finalin 1970 against Louth in Croke Park in a team that consisted of players of the calibre Murt Connor, Kieran Claffey, Paddy Fenning and Seamus Darby. Offaly lost that final by one point Louth 2-13 Offaly 3-9. Of course Padraig captained Offaly to the historic first Lenister Hurling title vs Kilkenny in 1980 and that never to be forgotten day on 6th September 1981 beathing Galway in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final 2-12 to 0-15. @he won his second celtic cross in 1985 when Galway were again defeated in the final. His medal haul is an impressive one. 8 senior county hurling medals, 4 Leinster Senior Hurling medal, 2 All Ireland Senior Hurling medals, 3 Leinster club medals, 3 Railway Cup medals and a hurling All Star award at full forward in 1985. In football he won a minor county medal in 1968, 2 junior medals in 1974 & 1975 and an Intermediate championship in 1986. One of the greatest players ever, the great Padraig Horan.

Paudge Mulhare

Paudge is one of the best known GAA personalities in Offaly. In hurling he won 10 Senior County Hurling medals, 2 Leinster Club medals and U21 in 1963 and a Juvenile medal with Ballivor in 1959. He played on the Offaly team at right corner forward in 1969 that lost the Leinster Senior Hurling Final by two points to a star studded Kilkenny team. He was involved in All Offaly’s All Ireland Senior Hurling final victories in 1981, 1985, 1994 and 1998 as a selector. In football he won a Juvenile medal in 1960, minor in 1961, a Leinster minor medal with Offaly in 1962 when they beat Dublin, an U21 football in 1965, Leinster Junior football medal in 1972 along with club mate Hughie Healy of Gallen. Two county Junior Football Titles back to back in 1974-75 and an Intermediate medal in 1980 when St Rynaghs beat Bracknagh after a reply. As an administrator he held every office in the club and for many years was the footballs club delegate to the county board. In 1985 he received the great honour of county board chairman. This was a fitting honour for a great career on and off the field.

Dinny Wynne

Dinny won a minor football championship medal in 1968 vs Tullamore. He also won an Intermediate football title in 1980 & 1986 and senior B vs St John’s in 1988. In 1980, 81 & 82 at inter county level he won three Leinster medal as sub keeper to the great Martin Furlong. Another club member Liam O’Mahoney scored three great points against Dublin in the Leinster final of 1982 and Pascal Healy from Gallen was a sub on that day. Dinny won an O’Byrne cup medal in 1981 and on the 19th September 1982 was sub keeper on the Offaly team that beat Kerry 1-15 to 0-17 to capture Offaly’s third All Ireland Senior Crown. As a football trainer Dinny had great success when he trained Tubber to win Junior, Intermediate and Senior B titles. He also trained Belmont to the Junior title in 1985 and St Rynaghs to a Junior B in 1989. Dinny, Paudge, Padraig and Ger Rafferty who is currently on the Offaly Senior Football panel are the current Intermediate Management Team in the club.

In 1982 before the national Hurling League Final the curtain raiser in Croke Park was the All Ireland Vocational Schools Senior Hurling final between Offaly and Galway . Even though Offaly lost, Cloghan was very proud to have three men from the village on the starting 15. Liam Rosney was captain that day, John Cannon and Martin Hanamy also lined out in that final. In the Leinster Minor Hurling final of that year against Kilkenny in Croke Park, Liam Rosney, John Cannon and Stephen White played on the starting 15.

Part 3

Gary Daly

Gary played in the Leinster Minor Final in 1985 against Meath with the team going down narrowly by 0-11 to 1-4. In 1986 he won an Intermediate Football medal and in 1987 he won an U21 hurling medal vs Kinnitty and an Intermediate hurling medal against St Carthages. In 1998 Gary won a Senior B football medal against St John’s. He also in that year won a leinster U21 football medal after four marathon games against Wexford which Offaly eventually won by 2-7 to 2-5. Kerry was overcome in the All Ireland semi final after a replay by 1 point 2-7 to 1-9. Offaly played ten games to win the U21 All Ireland Final of 1988 and Gary started every game in various positions on the forward line. He was club secretary for many years and proved himself a very capable administrator.

Stephen Finneran

Stephen was Offaly’s sub goalkeeper in the minor All Ireland Football Final of 1989. He also won a minor B football championship medal in 1988, Junior B Football Championship medal in 1989 when St Rynaghs beat Cappincur. In the Final he was in goals when St Rynaghs won the Intermediate Football Final vs Walsh Island in O’Connor Park Tullamore in 2005.

Enda Mulhare

Enda Mulhare lined out in the minor B Football final of 1988 vs St Marys at midfield. St Rynaghs won the the final on a scoreline 1-5 to 0-6. Enda notched all St Rynaghs scores on that day. He also lined out in the All Ireland U21 hurling final against Galway in 1991 at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. He won a Senior B Football Championship in 1988 and an Intermediate in 2005, Senior hurling titles in 1990 vs Birr and 1992 vs Lusmagh. He also trained the Shannon Gaels U21 football winning team of 2001 when they beat Tullamore in the final.

Michael Duigan

Michael had a long and distinguished career in hurling and gaelic football. He has won an array of medals with his club St Rynaghs in hurling. He won an U14 hurling medal in 1980 and also represented St Rynaghs at national Feile na Gael in 1980. His collection also includes minor in 1986 when Rynaghs beat Birr in the final, U21 in 1985 and 1987 when St Rynaghs beat Kilcormac Killoughey and Kinnitty respectively. He played in 10 county senior hurling finals and this includes replays against St Kieran’s in 1995 and 1998. He was on the winning teams in 1987 vs Seir Kieran, 1990 vs Bir, 1992 vs Lusmagh and 1993 vs Birr. He also won a Leinster Senior Hurling club medal in 1993 vs Dicksboro of Kilkenny. At Inter county level he played on the winning team of 1986 that won the Leinster minor hurling title for the first time beating Wexford in the final 4-7 to 1-5 and followed up with a terrific win against hot favorites Cork in the final 3-12 to 3-9. He captained Offaly to win the Leinster U21 hurling final in 1989: Offaly 3-16 Kilkenny 3-9. They lost to a Tipperary side captained by Declan Ryan in a fantastic game in Portlaoise on a score Offaly 3-11 Tipperary 4-10. He made his senior county debut vs Dublin in 1988 wearing No 18 and scoring a point in that Leinster Semi Final. Offaly went on win a rip roaring Leinster Final vs Kilkenny 3-15 to 4-9. He also completed the hat trick vs Dublin in 1990 1-18 to 2-11. In 1991 he won a national hurling league medal vs Wexford: Offaly 2-6 Wexford 0-10. In 1994 he won his fourth Leinster medal vs Wexford : Offaly 1-18 Wexford 0-14 and in 1995 in the famous thunder and lightning final vs Kilkenny 2-16 to 2-5 he won his fifth and final Leinster medal. Offaly won the famous five minute final vs Limerick in 1994 with Michael coming on wearing No 17 in place of Daithi Regan. The final score was Offaly 3-16 Limerick 2-13 with Michael scoring a crucial point to win his first senior All Ireland Hurling medal. Offaly lost the 1995 All Ireland to Clare 1-13 to 2-8. However it was in 1998 that Michael came to national prominence after losing the Leinster senior final to Kilkenny, Offaly came in the back door and after their three thrilling games with 1997 All Ireland Champions Clare, Offaly met the black and amber in the All Ireland final of 1998. Michael played a fine game going to right half back midway through the first half and scored two great points as Offaly had a famous victory 2-16 to 1-13. That year he received recognition with an All Star at right half forward. He was equally adept at the big ball game winning an U14 B football title in 1982 when Rynaghs beat Raheen in the final. In 1988 he gave some stellar performances for St Rynaghs footballers when he scored a crucial first half goal vs St John’s in the senior B football final when Rynaghs won 2-7 to 0-11. Incidentally St John’s was an amalgamation of Ballinamere and Durrow where Michael now resides. On the strength of those performances he was selected on the Offaly Senior football team in 1989 playing on the winning team vs Westmeath and losing to resigning All Ireland champions Meath in Croke Park. He also played against Ferbane in the drawn Intermediate football final of 1996 scoring a last minute free to equalize the match. He missed the reply through injury as Rynaghs lost to our old rivals in the reply and then called it a day after a long an eventful career. Michael is now a hurling analyst on RTE “The Sunday Game”. A dual star for both club and county Michael Duigan.

Martin Hanamy

Cloghan’s most famous GAA player is undoubtedly Martin Hanamy. In a long and distinguishing career he has won every honour in the game. He won u14 hurling in 1980, Minor in 1982, u21 in 1985 & 1987 and senior hurling county titles in 1987, 90, 92 and 1993. In the big ball code he won Intermediate medal in 1986. He missed the senior B football final of 1988 because of injury. He also has a Leinster hurling senior club medal in 1993 against Dicksboro of Kilkenny.

At inter county level he won 5 Leinster hurling medals in 1988, 89, 90, 94 and 95. 2 All Ireland senior hurling medals 1994 as captain and 1998. A Walsh cup medal vs Kilkenny in 1994, a national league medal vs Wexford in 1991, 3 All Stars 1988, 94 and 98. A great day for Cloghan village was on the Tuesday after the 1994 All Ireland Final which Offaly won against Limerick 3-16 to 2-13 and Martin brought the Liam McCarthy cup back to his own people of Cloghan.

A tough left corner back Martin made his championship debut against Laois in 1987 and he owned the number 4 tri colour jersey for the next 12 years. Nowadays Martin coaches the underage footballs and hurlers of St Rynaghs. A living legend in his own life-time that is Martin Hanamy.

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