Bill Delaney

Bill Delaney, born 11 June 1915 and died in 2000, was a Gaelic footballer from Stradbally in County Laois, remembered as a player, referee and administrator in the Gaelic Athletic Association. He came from a famous footballing family and played at club, county and provincial level in the 1930s and 1940s, and is regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. After playing in the 1932 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final he made his senior debut for Laois at 18 and went on to play in 18 successive championships, winning four Leinster Senior Football Championship titles. His 41 championship appearances were a Laois record for about five decades, and his 11 championship goals remain a joint Laois record. He won five Railway Cup medals, refereed two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship finals, served on Central Council for four decades and received the 1994 All-Time All Star Award.