Offaly hurling great and All-Ireland winner Johnny Flaherty has died, aged 74.
Flaherty passed away on Wednesday morning following a short illness.
The Kinnitty clubman was one of the finest attackers of his generation and helped the Faithful County to their first ever Leinster Senior Hurling Championship triumph in 1980.
Flaherty's Offaly side would defend that title the following year but would go on to even greater glory, winning their first All-Ireland crown, with Flaherty playing a starring role in the Faithful's 2-12 to 0-15 victory over defending champions Galway.
Flaherty famously scored the goal that brought the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Offaly when he hand-passed the ball to the back of the net late on at Croke Park to secure victory.
For his performance in the 1981 final, Flaherty won his only All-Star but was named the Offaly hurler of the year in 1979 and 1981, and was named on the Offaly hurling team of the millennium in 2000.
Pre-deceased by his wife Margaret, Johnny is survived by his daughters Shauna and Claire, his grandson, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
Johnny Flaherty has died aged 74. Watch the goal he scored in 1981 to seal Offaly's first All-Ireland senior hurling title #GAA pic.twitter.com/AHQb5zupGl
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) December 20, 2023
Offaly chairperson Michael Duignan extended his sympathies to Mr Flaherty's family, relatives and friends.
"Johnny Flaherty is one of the great legends of Offaly GAA who made a very special contribution to hurling in the county. His famous goal in the 1981 All-Ireland final is one of the truly iconic moments in the GAA as Offaly finally joined hurling’s elite.
"It was brilliant that Johnny’s perseverance in the Offaly colours, through good times and bad, would eventually bring the reward that he and his team-mates deserved. That 1981 triumph inspired a new generation of Offaly hurlers who went on to achieve success at all levels."
Duignan was a close friend of Flaherty and enjoyed many enjoyable days with him, both at GAA matches and on the golf course, where Duignan witnessed Flaherty make an albatross at Esker Hills last year.
"I know Johnny took great delight in the revival of Offaly hurling’s fortunes in recent years and was thrilled with Leinster titles won by the minor and Under-20 teams, and their appearances in All-Ireland finals. His presence at our games will be sorely missed from now on," said Duignan.
Former Open Champion and Offaly GAA benefactor Shane Lowry also paid tribute to Flaherty, noting his talents as a golfer and his famous albatross at their home course.
"He got a hole in one at Esker Hills - on a par four! I remember the first time I played golf with him. He stood up on the first tee, we weren't expecting it as Johnny was small enough, but he hit this thing on the first tee. 'Jesus, where did that come from?'
"It's sad to hear. He is one of the legends of Offaly sport and Offaly hurling, it's very sad for his family and it's a bit of a shock."
Below is an RTÉ report from 1988 on ash imports, which features an interview with Flaherty, who was a hurley maker.
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