Eugene McGee (16 November 1941 – 5 May 2019) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, manager, trainer, selector, Gaelic games administrator[1] and journalist,[2] who is best known for his time as manager of the Offaly senior football team.[3] McGee guided the Offaly team to success in the 1980, 1981, and 1982 Leinster Senior Football Championship, and to the 1982 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title.[4][5][6]
 | |||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Eoghan Mag Aoidh | ||||||||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||||||||
| Born | 16 November 1941 Aughnacliffe, County Longford, Ireland | ||||||||
| Died | 5 May 2019 (aged 77) Longford, County Longford, Ireland | ||||||||
| Occupation | Managing editor | ||||||||
| Club management | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Inter-county management | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Inter-county titles | |||||||||
| |||||||||
McGee was in charge of Ireland when they toured Australia for the 1990 International Rules Series.[7] He was also in charge for the 1987 International Rules Series and Seán McCague was his assistant manager on both occasions.[8]
In 2004, McGee was intermediary in a dispute between Offaly's International Rules Series player Ciaran McManus and the Offaly County Board when McManus questioned the selection of a new manager.[9][10]
McGee chaired the Football Review Committee (FRC) during Liam O'Neill's GAA presidency that led to adjustments to the game such as the introduction of a black card.[6]
He wrote for the Longford Leader, The Irish Press, The Sunday Press, Sunday Tribune and Irish Independent.[6]
Seán Lowry described him as "a stern man".[6]
McGee was interviewed for the documentary Players of the Faithful, which RTÉ One showed less than six months before his death.[11]
Honours
edit- University College Dublin
- All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship (2): 1974, 1975[12]
- Leinster Senior Club Football Championship (2): 1973, 1974
- Dublin Senior Football Championship (2): 1973, 1974
- Sigerson Cup (7): 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979
- Newtowncashel
- Offaly
- All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (1): 1982[13]
- Leinster Senior Football Championship (3): 1980, 1981, 1982
- Leinster Under-21 Football Championship (2): 1977, 1979
- Cavan
- Dr McKenna Cup (1): 1988
References
edit- ^ "Oral History - Eugene McGee". gaa.ie. GAA. 16 March 2010.
- ^ "Tributes for 'giant of gaelic football' Eugene McGee". breakingnews.ie. Landmark Digital Ltd. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "From the Archives: Eugene McGee is one of GAA's authentic voices". The Irish Times. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "All-Ireland-winning Offaly manager Eugene McGee dies". Irish Examiner. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Legendary GAA manager and journalist Eugene McGee has died". The42.ie. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ a b c d Fogarty, John (5 May 2019). "Eugene McGee was without doubt one of the greats". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- ^ "Hackett for Westmeath". Irish Independent. 9 September 2009.
- ^ "Former GAA president Seán McCague dies". Hogan Stand. 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Controversy remains in Offaly football". RTÉ. 2 November 2004.
- ^ Keys, Colm (18 May 2018). "Offaly seeking 15th football manager since last Leinster triumph". Irish Independent.
- ^ "'What a story', 'magic moments', 'great show', - Glowing praise for Offaly-Kerry documentary: 'Players of the Faithful' captured the incredible story of Offaly's victory over Kerry in the 1982 All-Ireland SFC final". The42.ie. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- ^ "Longford All Time Greats: Profile #13 Eugene McGee". longfordleader.ie. Longford Leader. 22 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Eugene McGee looks back on the major motions from Congress". shannonside.ie. Shannonside FM. 4 March 2017.