The Late Joe Rafferty People of Cloghan and the surrounding area were filled with deep sadness when they learned of the sudden and untimely death of Joe Rafferty Senior on January 5th. It was only on New Year's Eve that Joe was celebrating the arrival of 2008 with his friends in Cloghan and he was in great form. Joe was born 72 years ago on the Hill Road and as a young man he was employed by Bord Na Mona. An accomplished footballer in his youth, Joe won a minor championship with Ferbane in 1954 as no minor team existed in Cloghan at the time. A great Ferbane gael the late Jimmy Dolan brought Joe, along with his neighbours the Clarke brothers Frank and Vincent and Sean Doolin, to the neighbouring parish to play at that level. These players formed the backbone of the Ferbane Minor team to win the championship that year. In 1955 he lined out with the victorious Cloghan Intermediate football team that beat Clara in the final. Clara had no fewer than six county senior men playing in that final but with Joe playing at corner back how could Cloghan lose. He also played with Offaly at Junior level as well as playing with the Cloghan teams in two Senior County finals of 1956 and 1959, both of which were lost to Tullamore and St. Patrick's respectively. He also lined out on the All Ireland senior Inter firms Bord Na Mona winning team in 1959. Emigrating to England in 1960 he settled in Birmingham and worked in the booming construction industry. He became an ardent supporter of the famed Aston Villa football club and two of his proudest moments were when the Claret and Blue won the first division championship in 1981 and European Cup in 1982. Returning to his native Cloghan every summer, he enjoyed meeting with all his friends in The Caman Inn and sipping his beer in Clancys bar, talking of football and hurling, telling a yarn as his broad smile lit up his face. His sharp wit and great humour endeared him to many. At his remains left his niece's house on Ferbane Street, his coffin was draped with the green and white hoops of St. Rynagh's football club and the famed green, white an gold Offaly Jersey. Former team mates and present players flanked the hearse in a fitting guard of honour as it made its way to St. Mary's Church where it was received by Fr. Michael Scanlon PP, who described Joe in his homily as a man of deep Christian faith and integrity. After Requiem Mass the following day, his remains were carried from the Church to the strains of the Offaly Rover to his final resting place in Killourney Cemetery. Sincere sympathy to his brother Jim sisters-in-law, Essie, Mary and Dollie, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Joe will be sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. May the soil of his beloved Cloghan rest lightly upon him. That famous song composed and sung by Phil Coulter 'The town I loved so well', definitely sums up Joe and what Cloghan meant to him. May he rest in peace. (Noel Rosney) Courtesy of the Midland Tribune January 2008 Tweet

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