First Offaly man to captain All-Ireland winning minor hurling team mourned

THE death occurred earlier this week of the first Offaly man to captain an All-Ireland minor winning hurling team.

Michael Hogan, Hillside, Birr, captained the Offaly side which defeated Cork in the 1986 minor final in a thrilling final at Croke Park.

Michael, who was only 56 years of age, died peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin on Sunday night.

He was son of the late Patrick & Mary Hogan and the family was very well known in Birr, particularly in the construction trade. News of his death caused great sadness in the area with many remembering his exploits on the hurling field.

Michael first came to prominence in the green and red of Birr and played all the way up at underage level winning a number of titles. Birr won the Offaly minor title in 1985 and consequently Michael was captain of the Offaly minor team in 1986. They created history by winning the Leinster minor title for the first time beating Wexford in the final and they advanced to the All-Ireland Final where they overcame Cork by 3-12 to 3-9 to win the title for the first time, beginning a golden era for minor hurling in the county as Offaly won three titles in four years. Michael had the honour of being the first Offaly man to receive the Irish Press Cup following the game.

It was the second All-Ireland title he had won that year. Earlier he had led St Brendan's Community School, Birr to victory in the All-Ireland Colleges Final. St Brendan's had suffered defeat in a replay in the 1985 final but a year later they were back in the final and this time they made no mistake beating the famed North Mon of Cork by 5-8 to 1-8 in the final.

That gave Michael the somewhat unique distinction of captaining both his school and county to their very first All-Ireland titles in the same year.

He went on to play at under 21 level and won a Leinster medal in 1989 and was a member of the panel which agonisingly lost the All-Ireland Final to Tipperary that September.

Michael graduated to the Offaly senior hurling panel and made a number of National League appearances and was a member of the panel which won Offaly's only National Hurling League title in 1991.

That year was also a significant one for his club Birr as they finally bridged a 20 year gap to regain the Sean Robbins Cup. They had been defeated in the 1990 final when Birr had reached their first final in many years and a youthful Michael Hogan was their captain. Birr came back a year later and won the title, later going on to win the Leinster title as well with a big victory over Ballyhale in the final, only to lose out to Kiltormer in the All-Ireland Final.

Michael was again a member of the side which won the Offaly and Leinster titles in 1994 and the following St Patrick's Day he lined out at corner back in the All-Ireland Final at Croke Park against Dunloy. That game ended in a draw but Birr won the replay well and Michael added another All-Ireland medal to his collection.

Michael was a strong and determined defender and forwards would not have looked forward to coming up against him. He proved himself to be a great leader on the field and he was very well respected for his ability by his many former colleagues.

As a mark of respect the national flag flew at half mast at Grant Heating St Brendan's Park, Birr, this week, a venue Michael graced on countless occasions.

His remains reposed at Boyd's Funeral Home in Birr on Tuesday evening and his Funeral Mass took place at St Brendan's Church, Birr on Wednesday morning followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery.

He will be deeply missed by his son Michael, partner Gráinne, Michael’s mother Carol, brother Patrick and his partner Reveina, sisters Brenda and Maria, nephews Mark and Davin, nieces; Niamh, Aoife, Jane, Grace and Katie, extended family, former team mates and friends, to all of whom deepest sympathy is extended.