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Post date: Jul 13, 2015 9:59:50 PM
His career with Offaly started in 1947 with selection for the Offaly Minors and it was an inter-county career that stretched through the glorious fifties, and early sixties and ended in 1963. He won a Leinster Minor in '47 and lost to Tyrone in the All Ireland Semi Final, he was to lose to Dublin the following year in another Leinster Minor Final.
The 1950's proved a rich hunting ground, he played in five County Finals and won three (captain in 1957). For the next 13 years Sean was a constant at mid-field for Offaly and in all played 82 League and Championship games, and in 76 of those Sean was the No1 choice at mid-field. He was a member of the side that won the inaugural O’Byrne Cup in 1954 and later that year Captained Offaly when they contested the 1954 Leinster Senior final. He went on to win Leinster medals in 1960-'61 as well as a Railway cup medal in the latter year. The injury which was to leave him on the subs bench in the 1961 All-Ireland final may well have cost Offaly the title. Sean played his last game for Offaly when he lined out at mid-field against Louth in the National Football League on October 21st 1963.
He had a brief period in Administration and severed as Edenderry Club Chairman in 1959. He gentle manner and astute football brain made him a natural selector with teams and as in his own career - successful teams! He helped Eugene McGee & Offaly for that famous win in 1982 and severed his own Club at many levels throughout the years.
Sean Foran made his debut with Edenderry Senior Football Team in 1948 against Walsh Island. Sean gave an exhibition of football in that game. In the next game Sean made a real name for himself facing the great Mick Casey and he held his own against the big man. He ultimately missed out on the final in 1948 as he had just entered Maynooth College. Of course he had played at a high level for a few years at Knockbeg College and was selected on the Leinster Colleges team of 1948. He played against Connacht in the final - a game that was broadcast live on Radio Eireann. It was the first time that Michael Ó Heir mentioned his name but not the last.
Last Thursday the Club learned of the sad news that another legend of the Reds & Offaly had passed away. Sean Foran following a lifetime of involvement in the GAA left an indelible mark upon the Edenderry Club. Following so quickly after Mickey Brady's sad passing, the last few weeks have allowed for reflection on how the men of this era dominated football and set the standard for the County and left our Cub with a great tradition to follow.
As a Club Trustee he continued to serve the Club right up to his death. On the 6th of October 2014 he the contracts for the purchase of additional lands for the Club and as late as April this year he signed further documentation relating to the purchase.
Over the last number of days the description of Sean as a 'GENTLEMAN' was very common, it is a simple and sometimes overused term but in his case it was 100% correct - the Gentle man with the friendly smile and kind encouraging word inspired generations and set the standard for our Club.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.
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