The unexpected death at the age of 66 of Mr Jim Downing, which occurred at his home in Urhan, Eyeries last week came as a great shock to his family and many friends in Beara and further afield. Jim will be remembered for his long and varied career in the football field. He played with his home club Urhan in minor, U21 and senior and in the same grades with Beara. For a number of years from 1970, he was a regular on the Cork senior team. He was once described as the best footballer in the country who never won an All-Ireland medal. He won many medals with his club Urhan and with Beara over the years, also All-Ireland Club Championship and Kelleher Shield medals.

The crowds that turned out for the removal of his remains from Harrington's Funeral Home on Barrack Point stretched to the west as far as O'Donoghue's Garage, The Square and to the east to SuperValu corner. Again on Wednesday, huge numbers turned out for the Requiem Mass and funeral to Gorthnabullga Cemetery when a guard of honour was formed by his club mates from the Urhan GAA Club. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughters Caroline, Deede, Tina and Irene, sons Gary and Kieran, sons-in-law, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, sisters, Dorothy and Mary, brothers-in-law, nephews, nices and relatives to whom deepest sympathyin extended. Tweet

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