Tributes are being paid to former GAA manager and journalist Eugene McGee following his death this morning.
Mr McGee passed away overnight after taking ill at a family engagement. He was in his late 70s.
The Longford native managed Offaly to All-Ireland Football glory in 1982.
He also managed Cavan and the Irish International Rules team, and was a former editor and managing director at the Longford Leader newspaper.
The death of Eugene McGee is sad news. He always enjoyed a robust & full blooded argument & never pulled back. Made a great contribution to @officialgaa & wider public affairs. R.I.P. https://t.co/gg5hcGMUgT
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) May 5, 2019
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said Mr McGee made a "great contribution to the GAA and to wider public affairs."
Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin said he was "a man of courage and integrity."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the late Eugene McGee-a man of courage and integrity who gave so much to his community,to journalism and to Gaelic Games.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 5, 2019
Longford GAA said Mr McGee "epitomised all that is good in the GAA and was also a great voice for rural Ireland."
In a statement, Offaly GAA said his untimely death had "robbed us of one of the most celebrated GAA Managers of all time."
“While Eugene was very much proud Longford man, steeped in the traditions of the GAA in that county, it was for his brilliance in managing Offaly to that never to be forgotten All-Ireland Senior Football title in 1982, that he will be forever remembered,” it said.
Longford GAA wish to express our deepest sympathies to Marian, Conor & Linda, the extended families and his native Club Colmcille on the sudden and sad passing of Eugene McGee.
Eugene epitomised all that is good in the GAA and was also a great voice for rural Ireland. RIP— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) May 5, 2019
“Rarely if ever has a sporting event in this country, or indeed beyond, stood the test of time like the 1982 All-Ireland Football Final.
“The modest Longford man never looked for the plaudits, he just in his unassuming way referred to the fact that it was his job to have Offaly ready for that day and the players did the rest.
“However, that would be a very simplistic view of what this tactical genius had done over the previous five or six years as he moulded a group of players into a team that will be forever remembered when All-Ireland Finals are spoken of.”
RIP Eugene McGee. A lovely man. Also a football revolutionary with Offaly, way ahead of his time. He was a regular on Championship Sunday. Saddened by the news.
— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) May 5, 2019
