KEVIN KILMURRAY, the former Offaly footballer and manager passed away this weekend at the age of 72.
Kevin Kilmurray is best known for guiding Offaly to their first All-Ireland title in 1971. He repeated the trick by winning it again in 1972.
The late Offaly legend won five Leinster titles during his playing career. His last game for Offaly came in 1982.
A two-time All Star, Kilmurray also won five Leinster titles during a brilliant playing career which spanned over a decade – debuting in 1969 and playing his last game for the county in 1982, leaving the panel before the All-Ireland win later that year.
Offaly County Board Chairman, Michael Duignan was a personal friend of Mr Kilmurray and described him as “an influential and creative centre half forward on the history-making Offaly football teams of 1971 and 1972. He was one of the greatest players of his generation and one of the best Offaly footballers of all time.”
Offaly GAA is in mourning following the sad passing of football legend Kevin Kilmurray. May he rest in peace.
— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) December 4, 2022
"Kevin epitomised all the best qualities that are associated with Offaly GAA. After an outstanding playing career, he remained a passionate supporter of all Offaly teams and, of course, managed the senior team in 2005 and 2006," said Duignan.
The statement ended by saying "Once again, Offaly GAA wish to extend deepest sympathy to Mr Kilmurray’s family and friends and we are all saddened at the loss of a true legend."
Kilmurray returned to manage Offaly across the 2005 and 2006 seasons, guiding the county to a Leinster final in 2006, where they lost to Dublin. It remains Offaly’s most recent appearance in a Leinster decider.
Kilmurray also won two All-Ireland club titles with UCD and following his playing career, was heavily involved with St Brigid’s in Blanchardstown.
He was chosen as centre forward on the Offaly Football Team of the Millennium in 2000 and was inducted into the Offaly GAA Hall of Fame in 2018.
