Tullamore 'trailblazer' Brendan Martin passes away

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Mícheál Naughton has led tributes to Offaly native Brendan Martin (86), who has passed away.

The Brendan Martin Cup, presented annually to the winners of the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship, is named after the Tullamore man, who played such a key role in the development of ladies football from the Association’s formation in 1974.

Brendan was the LGFA’s very first assistant treasurer and, in 1974, he bought a cup at John J Cooke’s jewellers on Fownes Street in Dublin. It was first presented in October of that year by Offaly captain Agnes Gorman to her winning Tipperary counterpart, Kitty Ryan-Savage, following the very first All-Ireland Senior Championship final in LGFA history.

The original cup was later replaced by a new trophy made at Kilkenny Castle by Des Byrne, a master silversmith who also created the new Sam Maguire Cup.

The winners of the All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship continue to receive the Brendan Martin Cup on an annual basis.

LGFA President, Mícheál Naughton, said: “All of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association are deeply saddened to learn of Brendan Martin’s passing.

“Brendan’s contribution to our sport over many years is simply immeasurable and we were delighted to see him in Thurles on the 18th of July for our 50th anniversary celebrations, and at Croke Park on August 4th for our TG4 All-Ireland Finals.

“Brendan spoke wonderfully in Thurles and I was honoured to present him with a commemorative medallion at Croke Park on All-Ireland Final day, to mark his special contribution to our Association.

“Brendan was a visionary trailblazer who was incredibly passionate about Ladies Gaelic Football and the development of our sport.

“He continued to maintain a keen interest in LGFA matters right up until his sad passing, following a recent illness.

“On behalf of all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, I wish to extend our sympathies to Brendan’s wife, Mairead, sons Peter and Cormac, and his extended family and many friends.”

Ladies Gaelic Football Association CEO, Helen O’Rourke, added: “I’ve known Brendan for many years, and throughout the entire time that I’ve been involved with the LGFA. He rarely missed an All-Ireland Final and always kept a close eye on how we were doing.

“Brendan contributed so much, work that helped to pave the way for the generations that followed, and his name will be forever synonymous with Ladies Gaelic Football. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”