Matt Connor, one of the most legendary gaelic footballers of all time, has called time on his 40-year career as a member of An Garda Síochána.
The Walsh Island native served in Tullamore Garda Station for many years and is remembered as one of the classiest forwards to ever have played the game.
“Garda Matt Connor retires as off midnight after nearly 40 years service to An Garda Síochaná and the people of Ireland,” read a Facebook post from the Laois-Offaly Garda division.
“An Offaly legend, a fine policeman and a true gentleman. Thank you Matt from all your colleagues everywhere.” Well wishes have been flooding in Facebook for the popular Offaly man and he was honoured at a gathering last night in the station in Tullamore where he was joined by colleagues, including Chief Superintendant John Scanlan.
Matt was a key player on the Offaly side that famously denied Kerry five-in-a-row in 1982 when he was joined by his brother Richie, who captained the side, and by his cousins Liam and Tomas, all from the small Walsh Island club just a couple of miles beyond Portarlington.
Matt was cruelly paralysed from the waist down following a car accident on Christmas Day 1984. He was only 24 at the time.
In a six-year career with Offaly he scored a massive 13-142 and his performance in the 1980 All Ireland semi-final against Kerry when he scored 2-9 is regarded as one of the great individual performances.
Despite having his career cut short by injury, Matt remained heavily involved in Offaly GAA and served as minor manager, senior selector and was also involved with the Irish International Rules team.
He is a regular in the press box in O’Connor Park which shares a facility with the wheelchair section and the VIP area.
The Connors have a long association with Laois through school, work and football.
Richie Connor is currently principal of Shanahoe NS while he previously managed the Laois footballers in the early 1990s.
