Tributes pour in for late Eugene McGee: He was an innovator in journalism and GAA management. Blunt, honest and didn’t suffer fools.

News of Eugene McGee's sudden death has been greeted by widespread sadness and shock in the journalism and GAA world.

And ironically, while the former Longford Leader editor and managing director himself described social media as 'anti-social media', many tributes have been paid to him across various social media platforms.

Also read: How Longford's Eugene McGee plotted downfall of ‘Kerry empire’

Also read: Eugene McGee was an outstanding journalist, manager and a man of great integrity

Also read: Offaly GAA pays tribute to Eugene McGee after untimely death

Also read: A Leader And A Cub

Eugene has been lauded as an innovator in journalism and GAA management and as person who was blunt, honest and didn’t suffer fools.

Here is a selection of tributes that have been posted on Twitter;

Very very sad news this morning : the journalist & All Ireland winning football manager Eugene McGee has died overnight . A brilliant writer and football tactician , he took ill yesterday after a family engagement . McGee was blunt , down to earth and 100 % honourable . RIP

— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee was forthright & erudite. A man dripping with integrity & someone many of learned so much from. A fellow Longfordian, he is a huge loss, most of all to his family. Our thoughts are with them at such an unspeakably sad time. RIP

— Fran McNulty (@franmcnulty) May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear of the death of Eugene McGee, the man who hired me in the Longford Leader many moons ago. He was the ultimate local newspaper man with a thorough understanding of rural community and identity. He was also a devout family man and I am so sorry for their loss.

— Sheila Reilly (@sheilareilly123) May 5, 2019

Shocked to hear of the death of Eugene McGee. Worked with him many times on radio and television and enjoyed his company and insight enormously. Rightly known as a great GAA man for his successes as a manager but also as a fantastic journalist, both at local and national level.

— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear of the sudden passing of Eugene McGee this morning. An adopted Offaly man. Condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace.

— Joe Dooley (@DooleyJoe) May 5, 2019

Sorry to hear about the death of Eugene McGee, my first editor when I did an internship at the Longford Leader. Once tried to deter me by asking me if I'd like to spend a day in the "pissings of rain at Rooskey Court". "Why," I responded, "is there no roof on Rooskey Court?"

— Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) May 5, 2019

So sad to hear of sudden passing of All-Ireland winning manager and superb GAA analyst Eugene McGee.He was a massive inspiration to all of us who followed in his footsteps Deepest sympathy to his wife and family and all in Offaly and Löngford GAA .

— John O'Mahony (@omahonyjohnno) May 5, 2019

Really sad to hear that Eugene McGee has died. One of my heroes. The embodiment of courage and integrity. May the great man rest in peace.

— Tommy Conlon (@TConlonthecouch) May 5, 2019

Saddened to hear of the death of Eugene McGee - a legendary figure in Gaelic Games. Eugene achieved so much in his life and will forever be remembered as the manager of the Offaly team that denied Kerry the five-in-a-row in 1982. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam @RTEgaa #gaa pic.twitter.com/eixOnbhsKx

— Brian Carthy (@briancarthyrte) May 5, 2019

Longford GAA wish to express our deepest sympathies to Marian, Conor & Linda, the extended families and his native Club Colmcille on the sudden and sad passing of Eugene McGee.
Eugene epitomised all that is good in the GAA and was also a great voice for rural Ireland. RIP

— Longford GAA (@OfficialLDGAA) May 5, 2019

Very sad news on the passing of Eugene McGee. One of the great Longford men, a true GAA man, and brilliant journalist. He wrote his articles in a true “Country and Western” sort of way. Like he was talking directly to you at a football match. Honest, blunt, and always correct!

— Desmond McGoldrick (@desmond820) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee a legend. Toe-to-toe with all-time greats in Heffo & Micko & beat 'em - from UCD days v @StVincentsGAA1 thru to @DubGAAOfficial & @Kerry_Official. Above all was a gent & have fond memories busing it to Longford in '94 to talk about 1982, Darby & all that. A sad day.

— Joe Ó Muircheartaigh (@muirioch) May 5, 2019

It’s ironic that as the 2019 Football Championship season begins today, and as Dublin look to complete the “Five in a row”. Eugene McGee was the manager of that famous Offaly team that stopped the last one.

— Desmond McGoldrick (@desmond820) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee was a gentleman and an innovator in both journalism and GAA management. May he rest in peace. Once allowed a sports reporter (David Walsh) to train and play a practice game with Offaly before an All-Ireland final #GAA

— Sean McGoldrick (@SeanMcGoldrick1) May 5, 2019

A wonderful way to remember #EugeneMcGee - just told this by Tom Parlon.
On the morning of the 82 All Ireland a journalist asked Eugene how badly #Offaly wanted to win. He replied "there's men in that dressing room who haven't had a pint since last Wednesday night! #RIPEugene pic.twitter.com/XH8KddJYdD

— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) May 5, 2019

The passing of Eugene McGee will leave a huge void. An ability to weigh you up within seconds. Blunt, honest and didn’t suffer fools. A unique Longford man of great integrity and achievement in the worlds of sport, journalism and business. A rare character. Rip.

— Padraic Davis (@PadraicDavis) May 5, 2019

Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee. He oozed integrity. Speaking at event in Longford for me just a few weeks back he noted how the GAA played an integral part in infusing meaning and belonging in his life. A gentleman and a scholar. RIP #eugenemcgee

— Colin Regan (@Rego101) May 5, 2019

#eugenemcgee pictured with Damien. "He was my first boss, a leader, a mentor and a very generous and caring man. He noted when he first heard me reading farm news, 'that's RTE for you, getting a fella from Castleknock to talk about bullocks and heifers'." pic.twitter.com/repxN8hWfC

— CountryWide (@RTECountryWide) May 5, 2019

Honourable, down to earth a great county man. A Longford Legend. Rest in Peace Mr Eugene McGee
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/ex5g7Dln30

— Shane Reid (@Shane_Reid79) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear about the death of Eugene McGee. One of the few times you ever saw a Longford mention in national sports pages in my youth was because of Eugene. His plain speaking was refreshing and his passion for his locality strong. https://t.co/rtYMuVxY1R

— Irish Seven Summits (@Irish7Summits) May 5, 2019

In the aftermath of Offaly's heroic 1982 All Ireland win over Kerry, team manager, Eugene McGee turned away and said a prayer to his late brother, Fr Phil. The priest was a giant of #Longford GAA in the 60s. Last night the brothers were re-united#eugenemcgee pic.twitter.com/uMAmsntEeo

— Joe Flaherty (@joefla) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee was a joy to interview because of his intelligence, decency and occasional terseness.
The wry, modest face he’d put on if I mentioned his part in Offaly’s AI win in 1982 was priceless, as he made clear it shouldn’t distract from the interview topic.
A great loss. RIP

— Cathal Mac Coille (@CMacCoille) May 5, 2019

Members of 1982 Offaly All Ireland winning team have been remembering their late manager Eugene McGee. A man who would do anything for a friend and a brilliant, thorough manager. More on @rtenews and @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/gfBUPToEAQ

— Colman O'Sullivan (@colmanos) May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee. He was certainly a man who always had the courage to back his own convictions . Always difficult to identify what was the special characteristic he had as a manager but like Alex Ferguson he had something which made him special.

— Declan Rowley (@Declan049603271) May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear about death of #eugenemcgee -as a young reporter back in 2000 my first job in journalism with The Longford Leader a great learning curve with McGee at helm as Editor. A man of integrity with a passionate love for family, GAA and quality journalism-rest in peace.

— mairead o shea (@mairead_oshea) May 5, 2019

'We were lucky to have him' - 1982 @Offaly_GAA winning captain Richie Connor pays tribute to Eugene McGee with @colmanos @rtenews #rtesport #rtegaa #EugeneMcGee pic.twitter.com/GmDM9HSX3H

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 5, 2019

The death of Eugene McGee is sad news. He always enjoyed a robust & full blooded argument & never pulled back. Made a great contribution to @officialgaa & wider public affairs. R.I.P. https://t.co/gg5hcGMUgT

— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee Offaly's 1982 All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee has passed away this morning, Sunday, May 5.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/vPcPja7Nml

— Joe O'Brien (@pnamblath) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee cared about football and about the GAA and about journalism and his success in those fields says so much about him. He was a generous man and he’ll be badly missed.

— Peter Sweeney (@Sweeney_Peter) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear of death of Eugene McGee, the man who brought me from newspapers into local radio 30 years ago.Straight talking and always interesting.Pic from Longford Auld Fellahs remembers the night Eugene brought Sam to Clarke’s Pub, the ‘branch office’ #longford @OceanFmIreland pic.twitter.com/OCsFNCYvaI

— Niall Delaney (@OceanNWT) May 5, 2019

Saddened to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee. A great journalist and a brilliant football tactician who will forever be remembered as the manager of the Offaly team that denied Kerry the five-in-a-row in 1982.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. pic.twitter.com/WE6iOVJVq0

— Dublin GAA Fans (@DubsGAAFans) May 5, 2019

Eugene McGee cared so deeply about Gaelic football. For such a matter of fact man, the tears fell freely from his face when the black card was adopted at Congress in Derry in 2013. In print and on pitch, he has done football good. His legacy is rich. May he rest in peace. #GAA

— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear of the death of #GAA legend Eugene McGee; he was our manager on the UCD Sigerson team 1981, + was a true gentleman. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

— Liam Farrell (@drlfarrell) May 5, 2019

Sad about #EugeneMcGee . He achieved so much in his life and was always unashamedly himself. He managed an All-Ireland winning team, sold a business for millions, and was a fantastic journalist and a family man. What a full life. #rip pic.twitter.com/IWcgLJ6kyO

— Jack Murray (@mediamurray) May 5, 2019

So sorry to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee, a wonderful contributor to Irish sport, journalism and community.
Sincere condolences to his family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. https://t.co/IixktyHVR7

— Brendan Smith (@BrendanSmithTD) May 5, 2019

UCD GAA Club are very saddened to hear of the death of for UCD senior football manager Eugene McGee. Eugene was inducted into our Hall of Fame last year and was a huge supporter of UCD GAA Club. Condolences to Eugenes family & friends at this sad time
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/fbnmBzmC9Y

— UCD GAA (@UCDGAA) May 5, 2019

The sudden passing of former 1982 Offaly football manager Eugene McGee has left the GAA world in mourning. To his wife Marian, son Conor, daughter Linda goes our heartfelt sympathy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh ainm Dilis https://t.co/vcgrptiPkI pic.twitter.com/fpmjguBhTr

— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) May 5, 2019

Waking up to very sad news this morning hearing of the passing of Eugene McGee. The first All Ireland I really remember, ‘82, Offaly beatin Kerry to stop the 5 in a row! He was a master tactician, a GAA man through n through! RIP!! Ar Dheis De go Raibh a Anam.

— Cormac McCormack (@CormacMcNYC) May 5, 2019

Had the privilege to visit Eugene McGee at his home recently on a project I was doing for @DownSynOffaly an absolute gentleman, I could have talked to him for hours. He was so helpful. Thoughts are with his family and friends today. RIP pic.twitter.com/CWHr5PdMvc

— James Crombie (@INPHOjames) May 5, 2019

Growing up I thought football was only played in Dublin and Kerry #EugeneMcGee changed that.

— David Kerr (@davidkerr67) May 5, 2019

John Maughan and Kevin Martin speaking at the Offaly GAA Launch at the Faithful Fields. Huge crowd from all teams. Moments silence and a huge round of applause for the late Eugene McGee. Tributes being paid from members of 1982 All Ireland winning team. #GAA pic.twitter.com/xPnkoUv21P

— Joe Troy (@TheRealJT23) May 5, 2019

I'm shocked and deeply saddened by news of Eugene McGee's death. I knew him for many many years and he was a brilliant thinker about the GAA and many aspects of rural life. May he rest in peace. #legend

— Seamus Duke (@SeamusDuke) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear of the passing overnight of the legendary All-Ireland winning Offaly manager and journalist Eugene McGee.A great story teller and blunt as could be. RIP

— Conor.mortimer (@Conmort) May 5, 2019

Sad news that All Ireland winning former Offaly manager Eugene McGee has passed away. McGee and our own Kevin Heffernan had some legendary battles down the years as club and county managers. Condolences to Eugene's family and and the Offaly GAA community at this sad time. RIP pic.twitter.com/nXGFArswJm

— Hill 16 Army (@Hill16Army) May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear the news of the passing of Eugene Mcgee, he'll be an Offaly legend for eternity , his success with the Offaly team in the early 80's inspired me and generations of future Offaly footballers to play the game we love . RIP Eugene . #gaa

— Roy Malone (@roymalone100) May 5, 2019

When I started out in the Sunday Tribune, I used to spend hours in the cuttings library (pre-internet), reading old Eugene McGee pieces, the final of the Ulster championship was "the pullers and draggers' day-out". Great line. Great man.

— Dave Hannigan (@daveyhannigan) May 5, 2019

So sad to hear that Eugene McGee has passed away. A great football man and a great journalist. He knew the value of the GAA in rural life and was hugely respected. To his family,friends and all of the players he coached I offer my sincere sympathies @Offaly_GAA @OfficialLDGAA

— Martin Kiely (@MartinKiely1) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear of the passing of Eugene McGee. He will always have a special place in GAA history for guiding Offaly to the 1982 All-Ireland but dedicated his life to the sport. Eugene was a brilliant journalist, a great storyteller and true Gael. Thinking of his loved ones today

— Darren Frehill (@Darrenfrehill) May 5, 2019

Lots has being said about legendary manager Eugene McGee but straight to the point and honestly sound, RIP.

— Ruairi Coyle (@RuairiC12) May 5, 2019

Very sad news today about the sudden death of Eugene McGee. Famous as the manager of the Offaly team that won the All Ireland SFC in 1982, the Longford man managed Offaly from 1977 to 1984 and led them to 3 Leinster titles. He is one of Offaly's most cherished people.

— Kevin Corrigan (@ballinagarman) May 5, 2019

Shocked to learn of the untimely death of #eugenemcgee this morning a Longford sporting legend and journalist originally from home parish @colmcillegfc in #Longford https://t.co/IsgLkftsq4

— Ray Kelleher (@RayKelleherCork) May 5, 2019

RIP Eugene McGee. A lovely man. Also a football revolutionary with Offaly, way ahead of his time. He was a regular on Championship Sunday. Saddened by the news.

— John Duggan (@JohnDugganSport) May 5, 2019

Sad to hear of the death of Eugene McGee - the man who guided Offaly to Sam in 1982, stopping Kerry’s 5-in-row attempt - but who also did some much more for the GAA.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/OTZ5uPv9OA

— Sportsfile (@sportsfile) May 5, 2019