Offaly GAA legend picks up top Hall of Fame Award

An Offaly GAA legend has picked up a prestigious Hall of Fame Award at the 2022 Gaelic Writers’ Awards.

A two-time All-Ireland senior medalist, Willie Bryan captained Offaly to their first All-Ireland senior success in 1971. They retained the title the following year beating Kerry in a replay thanks in part to Bryan producing a midfield performance for the ages, with the Walsh Island man subsequently named Texaco Footballer of the Year.

In receiving this award he emulates his cousin Matt Connor, a GWA Hall of Fame inductee in 2011.

The awards, in association with EirGrid, saw a total of four new inductees into the GWA Hall of Fame: Mary Jo Curran (Kerry), Linda Mellerick (Cork), Willie Bryan (Offaly) and Cyril Farrell (Galway).

Derry All Star defender Chrissy McKaigue, Kilkenny marksman TJ Reid, together with All-Ireland winners Emma Duggan (Meath) and Grace Walsh (Kilkenny) were named Football, Hurling, Ladies’ Football and Camogie Personalities of the Year at the Awards.