Offaly book recalls football breakthrough
A huge attendance is expected for the launch of Faithful Pioneers: Offaly's football breakthrough, 1960-1961 which will take place in the Offaly Research Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore on Saturday 3 December.

The book which was written by Edenderry's Padraig Foy and Ciarán Reilly will be officially launched by former 1982 Offaly All-Ireland winning manager, Eugene McGee. The book will mark the 50th anniversary of Offaly's first historic appearance in an All Ireland final.

In 1961 Down and Offaly met in the All-Ireland football final before the largest ever recorded attendance at a sporting event in Ireland, where Down narrowly emerged as the victors. A must for all GAA fans in Offaly, the book also features comments from former Down, Louth, Roscommon, Carlow and Kildare footballers.

The launch promises to be a memorable occasion where member's of Offaly's GAA fraternity will gather to pay tribute to the great 1960-1961 team.

These men included: Peter Daly, Patsy Hughes, John Egan, Greg Hughes, Paddy McCormack, Peter Carey, Phil O'Reilly, Mick Casey, Charlie Wrenn, Sean Ryan, Sean Foran, Frank Higgins, Mick Brady, Willie Nolan, Tommy Greene, Donie Hanlon, Sean Brereton, Harry Donnelly, Larry Fox, Tommy Cullen.

The book which retails at €11.99 can be purchased at the following outlets from 4 December: Next Door Off Licence, 55 JKL Street, Edenderry; O'Toole's Pub & Off Licence, Rhode; Quinn's Centra, Daingean; Offaly Research Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore and O'Callaghan's Centra, Ferbane.

Copies of the book will be on sale on the day and from the authors themselves who can be contacted on offaly1960@gmail.com or 086-8745090