GAA President John Horan: Eugene McGee was a giant of Gaelic Football
May 05, 2019
The late Eugene McGee
GAA President John Horan has extended the sympathies of the Association to the family and friends of the late Eugene McGee who passed away early this morning.
Synonymous with his stewardship of Offaly when he managed them to the All-Ireland senior football title of 1982 and Leinster titles of 1980, ’81 and ’82, Longford native Eugene gave a life-time of service to football.
He had earlier carved out a name for himself as a coach of real quality through his success with UCD in Dublin, and was also a former manager of Ireland in the Compromise Rules International tests with victory over Australia in 1990, and also managed Cavan and at club level in Longford.
The Uachtarán said: “Eugene McGee was a giant of Gaelic Football.
“Like Mick O’Dwyer and Kevin Heffernan, with whom he shared so many sideline battle of wits, Eugene was considered a man ahead of his time and responsible for creating a new era of popularity for the game in the 70s and 80s.
“A straight-talking man of great integrity, Eugene was a hugely respected journalist and author and his passion for the game always shone through.
“The GAA benefitted greatly from this passion through his work on the field, and also through his commitment off it where Eugene was instrumental in helping to aid the evolvement of Gaelic football and was a former Chairman of a Football Review Committee.
“He was passionate about rural Ireland and of the important role that GAA Clubs have to play in supporting these communities. Indeed, he was only recently assisting our Community and Health department in an ambassadorial role for an event in Longford.
“On behalf of a very grateful Association I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to his wife Marian, his daughter Linda, son Conor and his many friends throughout the country. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.”
The sudden passing of former 1982 Offaly football manager Eugene McGee has left the GAA world in mourning. To his wife Marian, son Conor, daughter Linda goes our heartfelt sympathy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh ainm Dilis https://t.co/vcgrptiPkI pic.twitter.com/fpmjguBhTr
— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) May 5, 2019
Longford GAA wish to express our deepest sympathies to Marian, Conor & Linda, the extended families and his native Club Colmcille on the sudden and sad passing of Eugene McGee.
— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) May 5, 2019
Eugene epitomised all that is good in the GAA and was also a great voice for rural Ireland. RIP
TweetCavan GAA are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Eugene McGee. Eugene managed Cavan senior footballers from 1985 to 1988.
— Official Cavan GAA (@CavanCoBoardGaa) May 5, 2019
We extend our sympathies to Eugene’s family & friends at this time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/DYQKAwmMva
