Sad Passing of Mick Brady

Post date: May 12, 2015 1:30:56 PM

‘I felt that anytime you put on an Offaly jersey, well by God you were expected to give your all and go full belt for the match you were picked in and play to the best of your ability. It meant an awful lot to me to play for my county and I played like that whenever I went out’

n Mick Brady on his respect for the Offaly Jersey.

The news of Mick Brady’s passing on 11^th May 2015 has been received with shock and an unbelievable sense of sadness in Edenderry GAA club, the wider parish, across the county and indeed the country, such was Mick’s impact in GAA terms. He had a storied career with Offaly, his club Edenderry, and for a brief period with Sean Mc Dermotts in Dublin and finally with Leinster in the once illustrious Railway Cup interprovincial competition.

His accolades are numerous, among which the obvious highlights been 3 SFC county medals with Edenderry (1951, 1953, 1957), 2 O’Byrne Cup medals (1954, 1961) 2 Leinster medals with Offaly (1960, 1961), and a Railway Cup medal (1961). His inter county career spanned 2 decades and began in 1952 and finished in 1964 and between league and championship Mick wore the county jersey on over 80 occasions, a huge playing record even by modern comparisons. The highlight of twice winning the Leinster championship in 1960 & 1961 was tempered slightly by the fact that the ultimate accolade of an All Ireland wasn’t achieved.

However Mick was proud that he was part of one of the greatest occasions in GAA history in 1961 when he played before a record crowd of 90,556 – a record which still stands to this day.His indelible contribution to Offaly GAA was recognised when he was selected at left half back on the Offaly Team of the Century.

As a footballer Mick would have been regarded as purist in footballing terms. Not a particularly big man, he was blessed with tremendous pace and a terrific football brain. His reading of game would have been first class and his countless interceptions at the heart of the Offaly defence on the big occasions in Croke Park when teams were attacking would have brought great joy to the masses of Offaly supporters.

In a club capacity Mick proudly served as a selector with the championship winning teams of 1985 and 1995, where he would have passed on his immense footballing awareness and tactical acumen to a new generation of Edenderry footballers.

Mick of course took tremendous pride in all of his family and in particular watching his sons Michael Og and Peter wearing the Edenderry and Offaly jersey’s with distinction would have brought him tremendous satisfaction.

A keen golfer and a important member of Edenderry Choral Society, Mick had a terrific influence on the Edenderry community and with his friendly temperament and good humoured personality Mick epitomised all that was good and positive about the town and it will be much the lesser place for his passing.

To his wife Bernie, his family Michael Og, Joe, Peter, Liz, Johnny & Mag, brothers, sister, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and wide circle of friends, Edenderry GAA wishes to pass on its deepest condolences.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis