McGee, Noel
February 15, 2006
The late Noel McGee
GAA heroes and legends from throughout the county and further a field turned out in vast numbers to provide a memorable and apt send off for Offaly GAA legend, Noel McGee at his funeral.
A native of Clara, but resident in Tullamore for practically all his life, Noel McGee died suddenly in Tullamore General Hospital.
He went into hospital just after Christmas when he broke his hip in a fall in his shop but he never fully recovered and became gravely ill.
Noel McGee ran a famous barber's shop in William Street, Tullamore and was best known for his sporting exploits in his youth.
He was the only man to captain Offaly senior hurlers and footballers in the championship; He was the first Offaly man to receive a cup in Croke Park, the 1954 O'Byrne Cup; He was the first man to receive the Dowling Cup which was presented to the winners of the Offaly senior Football Championship.
He won senior football medals in 1954, 1956 and 1963 and senior hurling medals in 1955, 1959 and 1964 while he won minor football medals in 1948 and 1950, when he also won a minor hurling medal.
He had an immense love for Tullamore GAA Club and served his club in a variety of capacities as an officer and a mentor. He was involved as a mentor with many successful Tullamore teams. He managed them to Senior Football Championship in 1977 and trained the Tullamore team that won the Junior Football Championship in 1992.
McGee also served a couple of stints as an Offaly senior football selector. He served for a spell under Eugene McGee in the late '70s but was no longer involved when Offaly returned to the winners podium in 1980 while he also served for a period under Pat Fitzgerald in the 1990s.
He was chairman of the first Offaly GAA Supporters Club for ten years.
He served as Tullamore minor board chairman in the 1990s for a spell when asked to do so by former GAA president, then chairman of Tullamore GAA Club and one of his great fiends, the late John Dowling. He was a president of Tullamore GAA Club for many years.
His funeral was an emotional occasion. Guards of honour were provided at the removal and funeral by Tullamore GAA Club and offaly GAA County Board officials and former Tullamore and Offaly playing colleagues of Noel's.
It was a tribute to Noel's popularity that the attendance included many Offaly GAA hurling and football stars form every era. There was also a number of famous GAA figures from outside the county present.
Noel would have been particularly touched by the presence of one of his best friends, former Tullamore and Offaly star, Martin Furlong who returned from New York specially for the funeral.
Hundreds of people attended the funeral. A graveside oration was provided by Jim Buckley, chairman of Tullamore GAA Club and Brian Cowen, Minister of Finance.
Mr Jim Buckley stated that Noel McGee was a "great friend of Tullamore GAA Club" and he described him as a "real true blue".
Minister Cowen spoke fondly of his friendship with Noel McGee. He mentioned his exploits on the GAA fields, his love of family and friends; his grief at the sudden death of his daughter Veronica a couple of years ago - Cowen was in Noel's company when he received a phone call about Veronica's death.
After Minister Cowen's tribute, the Offaly Rover was sang at the grave side.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Shane Crombie, who also led the grave side prayers.
Noel is survived by his wife, Peggie: daughter, Denise; grand daughter, Roxanne; brothers, sisters, other relatives and a wide circle of friends.
Courtesy of the Midland Tribune
15 February 2006
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