RIP Greg Hughes, Offaly defender of the 60s and 70s.

[AZOffaly]

Greg was before my time, but his name, together with Paddy McCormack's would be feted as genuine sporting heroes in Offaly from those nascent days in the 60s. A great man and a great servant to Rynaghs (Cloghan) and Offaly.

Offaly GAA was plunged into mourning yesterday when the news spread of the death of one of the greats of Offaly Football Greg Hughes. A native of Cloghan, Greg played a pivotal part in the emergence of Offaly football to the top flight. Offaly County Board Chairperson Padraig Boland, in expressing his condolences to Greg's family, described him as a colossus and remarked that growing up the Offaly full back line of Paddy McCormack, Greg Hughes and Johnny Egan was feared and revered throughout the Country. He went on to say the Hughes was one of life's gentlemen and an Icon of Offaly Football.
Greg was inducted into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame in 2010 for his contribution to Offaly Football. His performances at full back were a big factor in Offaly finally reaching the promised land when they won the Leinster Senior Football Championship title for the first time in 1960. His late brother Patsy, one of life's gentlemen, was a sub on that famous day in Croke Park when Offaly beat Louth in the Leinster final.
Their ambitions were thwarted by Down in the All-Ireland semi-final but in 1961, Offaly returned for a second bite at the cherry. They retained the Leinster title with a final victory over Dublin and went on to reach the All-Ireland final for the first time, where Offaly were pipped by Down in a famous final in front of a record attendance at Croke Park.
He continued to star for Offaly throughout the '60s and towards the end of the decade, a second great awakening began to happen for football. In 1969, he was full back as Offaly won a third Leinster senior football title, beating Kildare in the final. Sadly Offaly were beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland final that year.
After losing a legendary Leinster final to Meath in 1970, he won a fourth Leinster senior football medal in 1971 and finally achieved his life's ambition when winning an All-Ireland medal that year - By this stage he was a sub but he looked on with great pride as Offaly beat Galway in the All-Ireland final.
The winner of an All-Ireland inter firms medal with Bord na Mona in 1959, he gave huge commitment to his native Cloghan club. He played with them as they lost the 1959 Senior Football Championship final to St Patrick's and continued to serve them after the end of his playing career. He guided them to the Senior B football championship in 1988.
In his heyday, the All-Stars scheme was not in existence and representing Leinster in the Railway Cup was a huge accolade. He played for Leinster in five finals, winning medals in 1959, 1961 and 1962, when he was captain.
He also served Offaly well after the end of his playing career. He was manager when Offaly won the Leinster U-21 football championship in 1986. They were beaten by Cork in the All-Ireland final while he also served as Offaly senior football manager for a spell in the mid to late '80s.
A teak tough player, his contribution to Offaly football is comparable with any of the greats of the past.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

[AQMP]

Great read AZ. RIP.

[All of a Sludden]

May he rest in peace.

[Hardy]

When I first heard Greg's name, I thought M. Ó Hehir was saying "Red Hugh" and it sounded heroic. We'd been learning about Red Hugh O'Donnell's escape from Dublin Castle in school.

Greg Hughes, Paddy McCormack and Johnny Egan - they don't make full back lines like that anymore.

Condolences to his family and Offaly GAA.

[The Hill is Blue]

Greg Hughes was central to making the Offaly defence the most formidable of his era. No blanket defences in those days – it was pure man to man stuff and Greg rarely lost out in those battles.   

A sporting legend.

RIP