Pat Brophy, centre back on the 1986 Laois National Football League winning team, died at the weekend. Aged only 60, heās first from that team to go, a team as well know for the āBattle of Aughrimā as winning that game against Nudie Hughesā Monaghan. He was chairman of Emo GAA up until last year when he stepped down as a result of his illness.
My first time in Croke Park was for that National League winning run, that team of Curly Prendergast, Liam Irwin, Colm & Gerry Browne, Mick & Miley Dempsey, Atch Whelan, Paddy Dunne, they were like Gods to us, and inspired the Laois Minor teams of the 90ās as a result.