Former Offaly GAA greats to be Grand Marshals of St Patrick’s Day parade in Offaly
Padraig Horan, Martin Hanamy and Damien Martin will be Grand Marshals of Banagher parade
FORMER All-Ireland winning Offaly hurling captains Padraig Horan, Martin Hanamy and first ever GAA hurling All-Star Damien Martin will be the Grand Marshals of the 2024 Banagher St Patrick’s Day parade.
“We are honoured to announce that the Grand Marshals for the 2024 Banagher’s St Patrick’s Day parade are three proud St Rynagh’s hurling legends Padraig Horan, Damien Martin and Martin Hanamy,” the parade committee announced.
Padraig Horan captained Offaly to their first All-Ireland hurling title in 1981 and was inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame in 2017.
Damien Martin also played a huge part in the 1981 All-Ireland hurling title success story. However, back in 1971 while Offaly hurling was in the doldrums, Damien’s skill as a goalkeeper was recognised when he took the number one spot on the inaugural All Star team.
Three time All-Star winner Martin Hanamy became the second St Rynagh’s winning captain to raise the Liam McCarthy Cup for Offaly in 1994. With four minutes to go in that encounter Offaly trailed by five points against Limerick. A scoring spree in the remaining time resulted with the Faithful county winning the game by six points and Martin finally collecting his first All-Ireland medal.
Hubert Rigney became the third St Rynagh’s hurler to captain his county to All-Ireland success in 1998. His famous winning speech “we came in the back door and are going out the front door" is fondly remembered by all Offaly GAA supporters. Unfortunately due to other commitments, Hubert is not in the position to attend the parade.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day parade is being held on Sunday, March 17th. The festivities will begin with a river parade departing Shannon Harbour and will arrive at Banagher Marina for approx 1pm. The main town parade will begin at 3pm with assembly point at upper Main Street Banagher.
The Committee are appealing for volunteers to get involved in this year’s preparations and for local businesses to deck their shop fronts in Irish colours in the week leading up to March 17th. All local businesses are asked to make a special effort and enter a float in this year’s parade.
If anyone would like to get involved please contact Louise Mannion, Tony Cormican Fiona Berry, Jonathan O’Meara or any committee member.