Derry GAA is mourning the passing of Liam Hinphey Snr.

The Kevin Lynch's club founding member played for and managed the Derry senior hurlers, and was a selector when the senior footballers won back-to-back Anglo Celt Cups in 1975 and '76. His sons Liam Óg and Kevin also hurled for the Oak Leaf County, with Liam Óg having also represented the county in senior football.

Paying tribute to Liam Snr, Derry GAA said: “Liam Hinphey Snr transformed hurling in the Dungiven area, and then the county, when he took up a full-time teaching post at the local school in the mid-60s.

“Local legend tells us that the uncasing of two sealed bags of hurls discovered by Hinphey in a school cupboard led to the beginning of one of the richest fifty year histories within the ancient game.

“Liam Hinphey played for and managed Derry hurling teams and was a selector when the county's senior footballers claimed back-to-back Ulster titles in 1975 and 1976.

“Born in Derry, raised in Kilkenny, his gift to the GAA and our community was a life spent promoting and developing Gaelic games. Our challenge is to follow his example.

“We offer our sympathies to Liam's wife, Mary K, daughter Emer, sons Kevin, Kieran and Liam, and to all his family and friends.

"A giant of a man with a personality to match, Liam Hinphey's legacy will endure for generations to come. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."

 

Derry GAA is saddened to learn of the passing of Liam Hinphey.

Liam Hinphey transformed hurling in county Derry when he took up a full-time teaching post in the mid-60s.

A giant of a man with a personality to match, Liam Hinphey's legacy will endure for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/qUxedrdTEp

— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) September 24, 2023

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