Darby & Owens Enter Offaly GAA Hall Of Fame
Local legends Seamus Darby and Danny Owens were formally inducted into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame at a function on 1st April 2024. They each received a standing ovation when introduced to the attendance at the annual Offaly GAA Awards, which was held in the Tullamore Court Hotel.
The Tullamore Court Hotel also sponsored the event, which attracted many well known local celebrities and politicians.
The honour bestowed on Seamus Darby and Danny Owens was the highlight of an enjoyable occasion. Seamus Darby of Rhode won three All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals with Offaly, and will always be remembered for his last-gasp goal in the 1982 final, which shattered Kerry’s five in a row dreams.
Danny Owens of Kilcormac-Killoughey scored a crucial late point as Offaly won the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time in 1981. He won another All-Ireland SHC medal in 1985 and captained the Faithful County to win the National League in 1991. Danny also enjoyed unprecedented success as manager of Kilcormac-Killoughey, leading them to a hat-trick of Offaly SHC triumphs, and an All-Ireland final appearance.
The full list of award winners for 2023 was –
Football Hall of Fame – Seamus Darby (Rhode)
Hurling Hall of Fame – Danny Owens (Kilcormac-Killoughey)
Senior Football – Declan Hogan (Tullamore)
Senior Hurling – Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey)
Senior B Football – David Dempsey (Ballycommon)
Senior B Hurling – Peter Geraghty (Kilcormac-Killoughey)
Intermediate Football – Shane Tierney (Daingean)
Intermediate Hurling – Cathal King (Carrig & Riverstown)
Junior Football – Jordan Quinn (Kilcormac-Killoughey)
Junior Hurling – Stephen Fitzgerald (Ballinamere)
Under 20 Football – John Furlong (Tullamore)
Under 20 Hurling – Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey)
Football Referee – Chris Dwyer (Clara)
Hurling Referee – Brian Gavin (Clara)
Ladies Football – Roisin Ennis (Naomh Ciaran)
Camogie: Sheila Sullivan (Birr)
Handball: Declan Kilmurray (Fahy)
