Furlong’s final heroics sparked the Faithful rise

Offaly’s 1964 All-Ireland minor football win would prove the building block for the county’s later success — and Martin Furlong’s input was crucial.

ONE day in 1959, Eamonn Fox and Pat Heffernan, two young players in the Tullamore club, were engaging in a kickaround in O’Connor Park, where it was customary for young lads to race behind the goal and kick the balls back out to them. A ball hopped between two youngsters aged about 12 or so. One of them put his foot over it and jostled the other out of the way before claiming the ball.

“By Jaysus,” said Fox. “Mickey Furlong will never be dead while that young fella’s alive, whoever he is.”