Death of Offaly All-Ireland SHC winning manager Andy Gallagher

The Offaly flag flies proudly

Offaly GAA is mourning the passing of Andy Gallagher, who managed the Faithful County to their first All-Ireland SHC title in 1981.

A legendary figure in Tullamore and Offaly GAA circles, Andy was a county dual player before taking charge of the hurlers in 1977 and leading them out of the wilderness with maiden Leinster and All-Ireland SHC wins in 1980 and ’81. He worked with coach Diarmuid Healy from 1979 to ’82 before the Kilkenny man succeeded him as manager in '83.

As a player, Andy made 61 appearances in goal for the Offaly hurlers and also lined out at corner forward on two occasions in the National League against Meath in 1959 and Clare in ’62. He won a Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1967 and also represented his county in junior football. In addition, he won three county SHC and three county SFC medals with his beloved Tullamore.

Just a fortnight shy of his 90th birthday, Andy also served a number of administrative roles, including county treasurer and assistant secretary, and was inducted into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame in 2009.  

An Offaly GAA tribute read: “He wore the green, white and gold of Offaly with pride as a minor in both codes during 1953 and ’54. He played junior football for the county, but hurling was his first love, and he hurled with the Offaly seniors from 1955 up until the spring of 1969.

“He wore the No. 1 jersey on 61 occasions, while he also lined out at corner forward on two occasions in the League, against Meath in 1959 and Clare in 1962. In 1967, he won a Railway Cup hurling medal with Leinster.

“When his playing days were over, he immersed himself in administration and team management. His first sojourn into administration was with his club, where he filled the roles of Treasurer and Secretary. That experience stood to him as he moved to county level, where he firstly served as Assistant Secretary.

“In 1993, he took on the role of Treasurer, a position he held until 2009, and then served as Assistant Treasurer from 2009 until 2014. During this time, he was also Offaly’s delegate to Leinster Council, a position he held from the mid-1970s to 2009. In 1979, as Leinster Council delegate, he successfully championed the case for the introduction of an open draw in the Leinster SHC, as opposed to the traditional ‘seeded draw’.

“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 MacCarthy Cup for the first time. He was Offaly senior hurling manager from 1977 to 1982 inclusive. Offaly contested every senior provincial final between 1980 and 1990, and Andy was a selector for further All-Ireland senior titles that were annexed in 1985, when Pat Fleury was captain and Dermot Healy was manager, and again in 1994, when Martin Hanamy was skipper and Eamon Cregan was manager.

“He was also a selector for two of Offaly’s Leinster U-21 hurling final victories. After his direct involvement with the GAA ceased, Andy was an ever-present at games around the county and, in particular, seldom missed a game in O’Connor Park, right up until recent months.

“An inductee into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame in 2009, there can be no doubt that Andy Gallagher was a proud son of The Faithful County, whose contribution is immeasurable and whose legacy will live long into the future.

“To his immediate family and many friends, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. Andy will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by everyone at Offaly GAA.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-Anam Dílis.”