Tributes have been paid to All Ireland-winning Offaly footballer Paddy Fenning who has passed away aged 69.
He lost his life to motor neurone disease, leaving behind his wife Kathryn and their children, Barry and Amy.
Offaly GAA say they are saddened by Fenning's loss, adding that despite his diagnosis, "He remained committed to helping others and had spear-headed a major effort to raise €150,000 towards researching the condition and supporting those who suffer from it, while also assisting homeless causes in Offaly.
"The massive turn-out at the launch for this fund-raiser in February was a perfect example of the esteem in which Paddy was held throughout the county."
The Tullamore clubman scored the only goal of the game in the 1972 All Ireland final replay when Offaly beat Kerry by 1-19 to 0-13.
Fenning's looping effort from distance found the net to give the Faithful a lead they wouldn't surrender for the rest of the game.
That helped secure Fenning's second medal as he was part of the panel that beat Galway in the 1971 decider.
Remembering those finals in 1994, he said, "I was a little bit frustrated not to start the 1971 final but the first is always sweetest and that victory will remain a special memory, although in '72 I started the game at corner forward and because I played all through I feel I did my bit that year.
His Offaly debut came in the auspicious surrounds of Wembley Stadium in 1969 against Mayo, and he marked the occasion with a goal.
Fenning's final game for the Faithful came with in the 1980 All Ireland semi-final defeat to old rivals Kerry.
He felt he still had plenty to give, however, "I had a slight difference with the management at the time and although I was asked to go back to train, I decided to call it a day, but I probably retired a little early.
"At 30 I had a lot more football in me. I played four or five more years with the club before hanging up the boots altogether".
On top of his two All Ireland medals, he also claimed four Leinster Football Championship medals.
With Tullamore Fenning won Offaly Senior Football Championship titles in 1973 and 1977.
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