Exhibition remembers Dubs legend ‘Heffo’

THE late Dublin GAA legend Kevin ‘Heffo’ Heffernan has been honoured with an exhibition at the Little Museum of Dublin that recalls his remarkable career.

The exhibition entitled ‘Heffo’s Army – The Rise of Dublin GAA’ was officially opened at the St Stephen’s Green location by Páraic Duffy, the Director-General of the GAA and attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Brendan Carr.

The exhibition commemorates the highlights of Kevin Heffernan’s role as both a player and a manager at Dublin GAA and how he is regarded as one of the greatest GAA players of all time.

The launch featured speeches from former players and managers that included a panel consisting of Tony Hanahoe, Brian ‘The Bomber’ Liston and Brian Mullins.

Tony Hanahoe said Heffo’s army was a development that took place in the early 1970s.

“Dublin had been playing very poorly for a number of years before making advancements in the championship and eventually winning the All-Ireland final,” he explained.

Hanahoe added: “Heffernan had a very distinguished playing career – in 1974, he gathered together a group and introduced new training systems.

“He was a man that had confidence and knowledge in himself and was prepared to impart that to a number of players that he had selected and the outcome was success.”

Brian Mullins said: “I’m personally glad that Kevin’s contribution and the history of that time is being captured and being made available for people to come in and engage with it – it is a lovely gesture”.

He added: “Kevin was well aware of the impact that he had made – he’d come in and engage with it and be appreciative and respectful of it.”

Páraic Duffy said: “I think it is right and fitting that this exhibition is opening in the heart of a city that Kevin Heffernan did so much to engage with over such a prolonged period of time. He will be forever known as a ground-breaking figure within GAA circles and beyond.”

The Managing Director of New Assurance Ireland, Mick Sweeney, said the launch night was the culmination of months of hard work from those who made this special exhibition happen.

“We are thrilled to be a part of what we feel is a unique exhibition that will attract thousands of Dublin GAA fans,” he said.

The Heffo’s Army exhibition will remain open at the Little Museum of Dublin until May 28 with tickets priced at €8 per person and €16 for families.

Trevor White, the director of the Little Museum, said: “It is a real privilege for the museum to tell the Heffo’s Army story, not just to Dubs, but to Irish and international visitors as well. The story of Kevin, the players and indeed the fans is an amazing moment in the social history of our capital and the life of the GAA.”

REPORT: Andrew Ralph