Sadness in Offaly over death of double All-Ireland winning captain

Offaly GAA and Birr GAA have paid tribute to the late Michael Hogan, who captained both his county and school to All-Ireland success in 1986.

Michael, who passed away at the age of just 56 in Beaumont Hospital last Sunday, was captain of the first Offaly team to win the All-Ireland minor hurling title in 1986. He also captained St Brendan’s Community School, Birr to Croke Cup glory in the same year.

Michael played at centre half-back on both of those teams and captaining his school and county to All-Ireland success in the same year was a notable achievement.

In addition to Michael, several players were involved with both teams such as Joe Errity, Declan Sherlock, Damien Geoghegan, Gary Cahill, Daithí Regan, Declan Pilkington and Billy Dooley.

Michael won a National Hurling League title with Offaly in 1991 as well as county, Leinster and All-Ireland honours with his club Birr.

“Offaly GAA is deeply saddened with news of the death of Michael Hogan,” a county board statement read.

“Michael captained Offaly to their historic first All-Ireland minor hurling title with a 3-12 to 3-9 victory over Cork in 1986. Earlier that year, Michael had captained St Brendan’s Community School to a first and to-date only All-Ireland Senior Hurling Colleges title when they defeated North Monastery (Cork) on a 5-8 to 1-8 scoreline.

“Michael will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by us all at Offaly GAA, and we wish to pass on our condolences to his family and many friends.”

Birr GAA stated that "it is with sadness that all in Birr GAA learned of the passing of Michael ‘Mick’ Hogan".

The club noted that, in addition to his role as captain of the successful St Brendan’s CS and Offaly minor teams in 1986, Michael was corner-back on the first Birr team to secure the All-Ireland senior hurling club title in 1995.

The club has extended deepest sympathies to Michael’s family and friends.

Michael (Mick) Hogan of Hillside, Birr, Co. Offaly, died on November 10, peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.

Predeceased by his beloved father Patrick and mother Mary, 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 teammates and friends.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at St Brendan’s Church, Birr earlier today (Wednesday), followed by burial in Clonoghill Cemetery.