Offaly in mourning as hurling hero passes away

Johnny Flaherty, the man who scored the vital goal in Offaly's first All-Ireland hurling triumph, has died following a short illness.

The former Kinnitty and Offaly star passed away at the age of 74 on Wednesday morning.

Offaly defeated Galway in the 1981 All-Ireland final, with Flaherty famously handpassing the sliotar to the net for the decisive late goal. The 2-12 to 0-15 victory over the Tribesmen saw the Liam MacCarthy Cup come to Offaly for the first time.

A year previously, Flaherty helped Offaly to their first Leinster senior hurling title, when the Faithful men stunned Kilkenny in the final. Flaherty also played a key role in that Leinster decider, scoring two goals in a high-scoring contest.

Flaherty's role in Offaly's historic success of 1981 saw rewarded with an All-Star award, and the skilful attacker was twice named Offaly hurler of the year. In addition, he was selected on the Offaly hurling team of the millennium in 2000.

Having worked as a hurley maker, Flaherty was steeped in hurling throughout his life and he was known as a charismatic and colourful character. Johnny is survived by his two daughters, Claire and Shauna, and a grandson, Éanna.

Cllr John Clendennen said he was "saddened to hear the news this morning of the passing of one of Kinnitty and Offaly’s greatest hurlers".

Describing Flaherty's goal in the 1981 All-Ireland final as "the stuff of legend", Cllr Clendennen said Johnny was "always a great man for motivation with a positive outlook", and he extended condolences to all of the Flaherty family.