The late Mick McIntyre - a tribute by St Rynagh's Football Club Great sadness was occasioned by the recent death of St Rynagh's Football Club life President, Michael McIntyre. Mick as he was fondly known died in May at St Luke's Hospital after an illness which was borne with great courage and dignity. Born in 1908, Mick witnessed some turbulent times in Ireland. A staunch republican, he always believed in a united Ireland and was a life long Fianna Fail supporter. He raised a large family at Ballinagowan, Cloghan and worked on the family farm. However, it was through his connections with the GAA that he was best known throughout the county and when ever GAA is discussed in Offaly, Mick will be to the forefront when great gaels are mentioned. He wore the distinctive green and white hoops of Cloghan with great pride, winning a junior football title in 1939 and a junior hurling title in 1938, under the Cloghan name. Mick was also a member of the 1945 Cloghan team which won the Offaly Senior Football Championship, beating Rhode in the final. He also played senior football for Offaly in 1940. When Mick's playing days ended, he proved himself an excellent administrator in many capacities in the GAA. He served as County Board delegate for the Cloghan parish for many years. One of his proudest moments was when he was a selector when Offaly won their first Leinster senior football title in 1960 and retained it a year later, only to be beaten by Down in the All-Ireland final. He was also on the organising committee when Offaly won the All-Ireland minor football title for the only time in 1964. One of Mick's shrewdest moves was purchasing the present GAA pitch in Cloghan on the Birr road. It stands as a great testament to a man that did so much for his beloved Cloghan. He served as Chairman of the Rynagh's Football Club for many years, always displaying a fair and honest attitude towards his fellow members. One of Mick's proudest moments was when Offaly won their All-Ireland senior football and hurling titles in 1971 and 1981. Mick's remains were removed to St Mary's Church, Cloghan on Tuesday, June 1 with St Rynagh's Football Club providing a guard of honour. Former team mates of Mick had the green and white hoops of Cloghan draped across their shoulders as they marched along side the hearse while it was marvellous to see so many former great Offaly footballers and hurlers in the guard of honour. Mick knew all those great players personally and as a respected GAA colleague. His coffin was adorned with the distinctive tri-colour, which meant so much to him. The Cloghan branch of Fianna Fail also provided a guard of honour, led by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen. His remains were received by PP, Fr Michael Scanlon. On Wednesday in the company of a huge gathering of mourners, the GAA Club and Fianna Fail Cummann provided a guard of honour from St Mary's Church to Mahon's Cross on the way to Banagher Cemetery. Birr councillor John Carroll delivered a marvellous grave side oration, describing Mick as a true and loyal man of his country. Mick was predeceased by his daughter Rosaleen in 1972, his wife Rose in 1991 and daughter Mary in 1983. He is survived by his children Kathleen, Anna, Thomas, Phyliss, Geraldine, Michael, Kieran, Vincent and Mel and they thank everyone who supported them during the funeral and to the ladies of Cloghan Hall who provided a marvellous meal on both days of the funeral. June 2004 Tweet

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