Bill Delaney

Infobox GAA player |

name =Bill Delaney
irish =Liam Ó Dubhshláine
placeofbirth=
countryofbirth=Ireland
dob=1915
dod= July 1980
nickname=
height=
sport=Gaelic football
code=Football
county=Laois
province=Leinster
clposition=-
club=Stradbally
clyears=? -?
clapps(points)=
clcounty=
clprovince=
clubs=
counties=Laois
icposition=-
icyears= ?- ?
icapps(points)=
icprovince=4
icallireland=
allstars=
icupdate=
clupdate=
|

Bill Delaney (died 1980) was a famous Gaelic football player for Laois GAA. His sudden death in July 1980 brought great sadness to the entire county but rekindled memories of a glorious career in the Gaelic Athletic Association as a player, referee and administrator.

Career

From a famous footballing family he illuminated a glorious period for football at club, county and provincial level during the 1930s and 1940s and was regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

Bill played for Laois in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final of 1932 and when he made his senior debut at the age of 18 the following year he commenced an inter-county career that saw him play in 18 successive championships.

He won four Leinster Senior Football Championship titles with Laois during a glorious period that saw them go so close to a taking the elusive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title.

Bill also won five Railway Cup medals and captained the side in 1929 when the team also included his three brothers Jack, Mick and Chris.

The big Stradbally man also refereed two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals and was a member of the powerful Central Council for a period that spanned four decades.

External links

* [http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=37&si=232711&issue_id=2493&printer=1 Obituary from Irish Independent]