Brendan Coffey on steward duty at Pearse Stadium.
By Cian O’Connell
In Galway everybody has a story or two about Brendan Coffey.
So when news began filtering through on Monday morning that the loyal Galway supporter Coffey had passed away many maroon and white minds started to wander.
It was very rare that a Galway game in either code was played without Brendan Coffey, who loved to greet people as ‘boss’, somewhere in the stand or sideline.
Only three months ago Coffey attended Galway’s Allianz Hurling League fixtures against Cork and Tipperary.
Former Mayor of Galway, Martin Quinn, on steward duty in the press box, continued to supply wholehearted and a most understated assistance to his long time friend, Coffey. Such support had been passed down through the generations in Galway GAA circles.
A deep respect and loyalty existed for Coffey, who was there for the salad years of the John O’Mahony era with Sam Maguire hoisted in 1998 and 2001.
“I'd have known of Brendan, obviously being involved with Leitrim and Mayo, he would have always been around with the teams, but it was only when I took over Galway I saw how central he was to the family atmosphere that existed in the camp,” O’Mahony admits.
“The great care he got from all of the players, mentors, County Board officials, he was everywhere with us. We really have some great memories of Brendan.”
Galway players in different eras enjoyed Coffey’s presence and the fun that inevitably followed. “Brendan would be on the bus with us, the great thing about Brendan is that he was good craic, Galway to the core,” O’Mahony adds.
Being a member of the Galway set-up or a steward always counted for Coffey. “He never took off his Galway jacket in the sense that he was on official duty at all stages,” O’Mahony laughs.
Loyal Galway supporter Brendan Coffey sadly passed away on Sunday night.
“He was on weekends away with us and everything, the lads got on really, really well with him. They gave him lifts to matches, especially the home matches when we wouldn't be going on the team bus.
“If we were on a team coach he'd have official transport, he'd arrive at the venue and he was central to the creation of that family atmosphere. Everyone cared and had the craic with him, he added value to the adventure we were on at the time.”
What struck O’Mahony at the time and in subsequent years is how those in prominent Galway GAA positions sought to include Coffey. “They did, Pat Egan, the Chairman of the Football Board at the time, looked after him so well and effectively,” O’Mahony remarks.
“It was great to have him with us. Sometimes when you are in the tense situations of preparations for All Irelands or big matches, particularly on a weekend away before, maybe a fortnight ahead of an All Ireland or whatever.
“It is important at times to lighten the atmosphere, Brendan would have contributed to that. He never intruded, he knew what the limits were if you like. He was super.”
A few weeks ago O’Mahony received a call from former Galway footballer Eddie Hoare, who informed him that Coffey, synonymous with the old Roches Stores Corribside, was unwell.
“I still have Brendan's number in my phone, I rang him, but I didn't expect to get him,” O’Mahony says. “Didn't he answer me, we had a lovely conversation for 10 minutes, he was in mighty form. I was thrilled now (we had that conversation) when I heard the sad news this morning.
“I'd have met him at matches since, met him at Croke Park, but it would be less frequent than when I was in charge. I'm delighted that I actually spoke to him a couple of weeks ago.
“Anybody that had anything to do with Galway football, particularly in that era ‘98-‘01 would have nothing but fond memories of Brendan Coffey.”
Coffey will be sadly missed in the west.
