Kilroy, Sean
June 26, 2011One of the most talented footballers ever to come out of Mucklagh passed away last Friday.
Sean Kilroy was a gifted forward who was on the Offaly senior team which won the Leinster title in 1969, beating Kildare by 3-7 to 1-8.
The team, which was captained by Ballycumber's Pat Monaghan, went on to play in the All-Ireland final but was beaten by Kerry on a 0-10 to 0-7 scoreline.
Only injury prevented Sean Kilroy from going on to All-Ireland success in 1971 and 1972 with the same group of players.
He was a member of the Offaly team which won the Leinster Under 21 football title in 1968. That team was beaten by Derry in the All-Ireland final, 3-9 to 1-9.
Sean Kilroy also enjoyed Under 21 football success with his club, St Carthage's winning the title in 1966 when Edenderry were the opponents in the final. He also won a junior medal with his club but missed out on a senior county medal in 1973 when Tullamore beat St Carthage's.
An ESB employee, he moved to work in Lanesboro in 1973 and played Gaelic football there, winning a Longford county title and lining out for the Longford senior team. He also played soccer for Longford Town.
With his passing at the age of 63, no less an Offaly football legend and Tony McTague has said Sean Kilroy was one of the best inside forwards he ever played with.
In a fitting tribute to the deceased, former team mates from both the 1969 Offaly team and the 1973 St Carthage's team formed a guard of honour at Mucklagh cemetery.
Sean had moved from Lanesboro to Mullingar and he was buried in Mucklagh cemetery on Monday after funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Olivia and her fiance Philip, brother Seamus, sisters Patsy (Rylands) and Maura (Meade) and aunt Bridie.
He is also mourned by in-laws, relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune
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