Offaly hurling in mourning following two deaths
February 10, 2025
A view of hurls on the Croke Park sideline. ©INPHO/Tom Beary.
Offaly hurling has been rocked by the passing of a well-known club hurler and a former All-Ireland MHC winner.
Shinrone GAA club said they were ‘devastated’ by their player Joe Cleary’s sudden passing last Wednesday, while their south Offaly neighbours Coolderry are also mourning the passing of 53-year-old Ray Dooley, who won an All-Ireland MHC medal in 1989.
"On Wednesday morning, our club and community were devastated at the unexpected passing of our clubman and teammate Joe Cleary - affectionately known as Joe Liffey,” Shinrone GAA posted on Facebook.
"We keep the Cleary family in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
In a heartfelt tribute to Ray Dooley, Offaly GAA said: “Offaly GAA is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Coolderry’s Ray Dooley. Ray was a member of the Offaly All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship winning team of 1989. He lined out in all of Offaly’s five games en route to the final and was at mid-field in the decider, scoring one point, as Offaly defeated Clare 2-16 to 1-12, to win the County’s third minor title.
“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam Dilís.”
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