Martin Heavey Explained

Code:Football
Sport:Gaelic football
Martin Heavey
Irish:Máirtín Ó hÉimhigh
Feet:5
Inches:8
Occupation:ESB employee
County:Offaly
Province:Leinster
Club:Rhode
Clcounty:3
Counties:Offaly
Icposition:Right wing-back
Icyears:1967-1973
Icapps(Points):14 (0-00)
Icprovince:3
Icallireland:2
Nfl:0
Allstars:0
Birth Date:8 October 1941[1]
Birth Place:Rhode, County Offaly, Ireland
Death Place:Rhode, County Offaly, Ireland

Martin Heavey (8 October 1941 – 4 August 2024) was an Irish Gaelic football player, selector and administrator. At club level he played with Rhode and at inter-county level with the Offaly senior football team.

Playing career

Heavey first played Gaelic football at club level with Rhode. He was part of the club's senior team that won back-to-back Offaly SFC titles in 1966 and 1967 after respective defeats of Clara and Daingean.[2] Heavey won a third and final Offaly SFC medal following a defeat of Erin Rovers in the 1969 final replay.

Heavey never played at minor, under-21 or junior levels for Offaly but made his debut for the senior team in a National Football League defeat of Wicklow in October 1967. He was dropped from the team for the following two years but returned as a regular player in 1970. Heavey won back-to-back All-Ireland SFC medals in 1971 and 1972 following Offaly's breakthrough in the competition.[3] [4] He won a third successive Leinster SFC medal in 1973.[5] Heavey made his last appearance for Offaly in December 1973.

Coaching career

Heavey first became involved in coaching during his own playing days when he served as a selector with Offaly's first under-14 team in 1972. He later spent over 20 years as an underage coach with the Rhode club. Heavey became an Offaly senior team selector under Paddy McCormack and Eugene McGee between 1975 and 1977.[6]

Personal life and death

Heavey spent his working life as an ESB employee at Rhode Power Station. His brother, Bill Heavey, also played Gaelic football for Rhode and had a brief spell with the Offaly senior team.

Heavey died on 4 August 2024, at the age of 82.[7] [8] [9]

Honours

Rhode

1966, 1967, 1969

Offaly

1971, 1972

1971, 1972, 1973

Notes and References

  1. News: A very Happy 80th Birthday to Club Legend Martin Heavey. 7 August 2024. X. 8 October 2021.
  2. News: A Night To Remember For Footballing Legends of 66-67. 7 August 2024. Rhode GAA website. 29 August 2017.
  3. News: Paddy Fenning walk to take place on 50th anniversary of 1971 All-Ireland win. 7 August 2024. Offaly Independent. 21 June 2021.
  4. News: All Ireland Winning Teams. 7 August 2024. Offaly GAA website.
  5. News: Leinster Senior Football Finalists. 7 August 2024. Leinster GAA website.
  6. News: Death of a great Offaly and Rhode football hero. 7 August 2024. Offaly Live. 4 August 2024.
  7. Web site: 7 August 2024 . Offaly football great Martin Heavey passes away. 7 August 2024 . Hogan Stand. en.
  8. News: Offaly GAA pays tribute to football star Martin Heavey R.I.P.. 7 August 2024. Offaly GAA website. 5 August 2024.
  9. News: The death has occurred of Martin Heavey. 8 August 2024. rip.ie. 4 August 2024.