The Late Andy Mulhare The news of the death of Andy Mulhare of Rathronshin, Ballybrittas, February 29 at a relatively young age was received with great sadness in the locality of Ballybrittas and also throughout many parts of Laois. The huge turnout at the removal at Rath Church and funeral in Emo Cemetery was a witness to the popularity of one of life's gentlemen. Andy was a popular figure within his home area and also around the county he so proudly represented on the football field. He played for many years for his beloved local GAA club Courtwood and, in the company of his brothers Mick and John, as a teenager was a player on the very first team from the club that took to the field back in April 1962. His proudest moment in the famous white jersey of Courtwood surely was the November day in 1970 when playing at left half back he scored all but two points of their 1-8 total in their first ever championship title win over Abbeyleix. This junior title success was quickly followed by the 1971 IFC Laois title. In 1968, he was a member of the Laois Junior football team, which won the Leinster title. Renowned throughout Laois as an exceptionally skillful talented player with a marvellous free taking ability, Andy was reckoned by many to have been unlucky not to have played many more times for the county. After his playing career ended, Andy continued to serve his club in an administrative capacity and he was both chairman and vice chairman of the club, as well as serving as a selector. As a mark of respect, there was a minute's silence at the Laois V Mayo NFL league game in O'Moore Park, while all sporting activity in the area on Sunday morning was cancelled. The deepest sympathies of all in Courtwood GAA and the broader community of Ballybrittas are offered to his wife Theresa, daughter Orla, son Andrew, grandchildren Conan and Sarah, sisters Bridget, Frances and Liz and brothers Mick and John. -Pat O'Connell, Courtwood GAA PRO Courtesy of the Leinster Express 5th March 2008 Tweet

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