Gribben, Liam
October 12, 2001
In the year gone by the GAA in Derry lost one of its own, taken before his time in a fatal road accident. Liam Gribbin died on the 'Glenshane Pass' on December 8th 2000, aged 43, coming home from work. He left behind a devoted wife, Margaret and two beautiful children, Eilis 17 and Owen 13.
Liam played his football for the St. Malachy's club in Castledawson. Ever present on the Senior team for fifteen years, I first played alongside him at Primary School, in the first ever South Derry Primary School's League in 1968 and we weren't far away from each other on the football field ever after. He was a flying wing half forward, always easily found with the ball and totally committed.
When his playing days were over he managed many underage teams within the club, and with much success behind him, I joined him to lead the St. Malachy's to a senior championship final appearance in 1997.
In June 1998 Liam and myself moved 'Across the Border' to Co. Antrim to pick-up the management reins at St. Ergnats, Moneyglass. A 2nd division club with the numbers and the talent, but without the commitment and belief. Liam used to say that the problem with Moneyglass was 'that the players had 45 other places to go.'
By the beginning of 2000 he was elected youth officer at St. Malachy's, he was a major fundraiser on the committee for a new church (since opened) in Castledawson and managing St Ergnat's, Moneyglass.
The 2000 season saw the Antrim side easily win Div 2 of the league and also the Southwest Antrim Senior Championship, The O'Cahan Cup.
On the night he tragically died, Liam and I and our two wives, Margaret and Mary, were planning to attend the Moneyglass Annual Dinner, at the end of their most successful season for many years. But he was taken from us just a few hours before.
A man of tremendous energy, a loving husband and father, a real clubman, a fundraiser and a true friend, never forgotten.
Michael
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