Cavan GAA Mourns the passing of two Cavan Greats.
Death of Hubert Gaffney
There was genuine regret in Cavan GAA circles with the news that Hubert Gaffney had gone to his eternal reward. He is fondly remembered and deeply mourned by his many friends in his native Crosserlough, in Cavan and Dublin. His passing evoked many memories among old playing teammates and friends of his contribution to his club Crosserlough and Cavan GAA. Hubert was one of Cavan’s best known players in the late 1950s. He was a versatile skilful player who was equally at home in defence or attack. He first came to prominence with the St Patrick’s College team that won the McRory Cup in 1951. He soon got his place on the Cavan senior team and he was a key member of the team that defeated Derry in the Ulster final in 1955. Cavan drew with Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final but they were beaten in the replay. He played in three other Ulster finals in 1956, ’59 and ’60 but Cavan were unsuccessful on each occasion. He won two Dr McKenna Cup medals and he also won an Ulster junior championship medal in 1962. Hubert was a loyal servant with his native club Crosserlough and he played at centre-forward on the team that won the Cavan senior championship for the first time in 1958. He won another senior championship medal in 1961 and he also won a number of senior league medals. Hubert is predeceased by his wife Pauline and he is survived by his daughter Lucy, son-in-law Gerard, grandchildren, sisters and extended family to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
Death of Brian O’Reilly
There was deep regret in Cavan GAA circles again when the news broke on Friday evening last that Brian O’Reilly had passed to his eternal reward. His passing is deeply mourned by his many friends in Mullahoran, Cavan and Galway. Brian is remembered by those who knew him as an outstanding footballer who made a great contribution to the Cavan teams of the 1950s. His greatest asset on the field of play was his speed, judgement and reading of the game. Brian played minor football with Cavan in 1949 and he was called into the senior panel in 1951 following in the footsteps of his older brother Thomas popularly known as ‘Tom from Mullahoran’. Brian went on to carve out his own name in history when he played left half-back on the Cavan team that won their fifth All-Ireland title in 1952, defeating the favourites Meath after a replay. His achievement in winning an All-Ireland 19 years after his brother Thomas achieving similar feats in 1933 and 1935 is remarkable. Brian won further Ulster championship medals in 1954 and ’55 and he also won three Dr McKenna Cup medals. His passing severs another link with those great teams which achieved so much and meant everything to the fanatical Cavan supporters.
The contribution of the O’Reilly family to their native Mullahoran is well documented. Brian following in that great tradition won a senior championship medal with the ‘famed Dreadnoughts’ in 1949 when they defeated their great rivals Cornafean. He won another in 1950 and a number of senior league medals with the club in the mid-1950s.
Cavan County Board extends deepest sympathies to his wife Frances, daughter Niamh, sons Bryan, Niall, Garrett, Pierce and Shane, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
By Susan Tue 9th Nov
