Eamonn 'Ned' Rea - Limerick's All Ireland-winning full forward in 1973 - has died, aged 77.
He passed away on Monday following a short illness.
The Effin clubman scored two points that afternoon in '73, as Limerick beat Kilkenny 1-21 to 1-14 to claim a seventh Liam McCarthy trophy, and their last before John Kiely's team broke a 45-year duck in 2018.
During his time with Limerick, Rea also won a pair of Munster Senior Hurling titles.
He'd been based in Dublin for the last half-century, with Limerick GAA chairman John Cregan describing Rea as "Our go-to man in Dublin".
Cregan added, "His record on the pitch speaks for itself but he gave just as much off the field of play to the GAA."
It is with regret we announce the death of All Ireland winner in 1973 Eamon Rea. “Ned” as he will fondly be remembered as will be remembered in his native Effin. Having played for Limerick from 1964-1975 he won 2 Munster’s and 1 All Ireland. Sleep well Ned pic.twitter.com/LAH11wu8UY
— Limerick GAA (@LimerickCLG) November 22, 2021
Speaking to The Irish Sun in 2019, Rea said the 2018 win meant almost as much as his team's victory 45-years previously.
“I could have cried all night but I didn’t," he said, "You’d have to be from Limerick to appreciate it and be waiting as long as we were waiting.
“I stood where I was at Croke Park and I didn’t leave until the cup was gone. I wanted to absorb and savour it for as long as possible.
“We always dreamed we might win it but the way they played all year, and since, the happiness it’s brought all of Limerick and Limerick people all over the world... what it meant was amazing.”
"He was just a lovely lovely man and respected everywhere he went," Cregan told the Limerick Leader, "A great people person and a great conversationalist.
"Of course there was his bar in Dublin for many years and it was the cause of many Limerick people missing a train home from Dublin!
"He kept the Limerick flag flying in Dublin for a long time and especially when it wasn't always fashionable and we are eternally grateful for that.
"On behalf of Limerick GAA I express our sincere sympathies to his wife Mary, Sean and Lisa and his extended family"
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