O'Neill, Jimmy
October 30, 2007
Wednesday 3rd October will be remembered as one of the Club's darkest days as we learned of the death of Jimmy O'Neil.
When a small rural GAA club such as Brocagh Emmetts struggle year in year out for survival there are few who are prepared to stand up to support them especially when results consign them to the lower divisions and everything seems to run against them.
But such a man was Jimmy O'Neill, one of our most successful players within the club. Why this tribute from a club that has lost so many of our principal mentors in recent times, remarkable characters who all made their mark in our history.
The answer can be found in the comment from our neighbours and oft times rivals Derrylaughan Kevin Barrys, who described Jimmy as a type of clubman every club wished they had.
This comment and the many kind messages of sympathy from GAA clubs throughout the area showed their appreciation of the sense of devastation within our club and entire community on the death of Jimmy.
Brocagh GFC like many clubs throughout the length and breadth of the country are much more than just football clubs. These clubs are the focal points of their communities and are the first point of call for various community initiatives quite often raising money for special causes.
As Brocagh GFC has been the main focal point within our community, Jimmy in his shop was always the first point of contact. Jimmy in his nature never shirked his responsibilities and lived up to his motto of never letting the old side down. No organisation out fundraising were ever turned away with Jimmy often donating at his own expense rather than involve the club.
Always trying to raise the profile of the club off the field, he represented us in numerous cultural events where his wealth of knowledge and great sense of humour endeared him to all present. In 2005 the club played host to the Castlecomer Club, Kilkenny. Some visitors stayed with the O neill family, Aughrimderg.
The fact that these same people made their way from Kilkenny to his Funeral gives and indication of the impression that Jimmy, Dympna and their family, had on them. After a few years as club Secretary, he became chairman in 1998 and had the honour of opening our newly renovated facilities as recognition of the valuable service to the club in the previous years.
From a young age Jimmy could not resist the lure of the football field across the road at the back of the old school. This was the beginning of his lifelong association with the Brocagh Emmetts and instilled in his mind a great sense of commitment to the club.
He showed great courage and no shortage of skill to secure his place on many youth teams quite a few years his senior. He played on the early Canon McNamee winning teams made up of ex-members of St Bridgid's School an d represented St Patrick's Academy at MacRory Level.
He achieved his first major success collecting an All-Ireland Colleges Freshers medal with the Ulster Polytechnic and followed that with a Tyrone U-21 trophy with Clann Eireann (Clonoe parish) in 1977.
In 1978 he picked up a league medal with the Emmetts before his finest hour in 1981, receiving the first Championship medal in the club for 37 years when Brocagh beat Beragh in the final of the Junior Championship.
Jimmy travelled to the States soon after and was based in Florida for a couple of years before moving back to teach in St Joseph's, Coalisland and various other schools. More significantly he took over the running of the family shop and Post Office putting him right back in the centre of the community.
Success on the field was not long in coming again with another win at Junior Championship level this time at Galballys expense and over the next two years he played a prominent part on the team that came within a whisker of winning the Intermediate Championship. Time was moving on however and Jimmy hung up his boots leaving the team as he had joined it in the Intermediate ranks after a lengthy and highly disciplined spell in the Brocagh colours, with a remarkable share of awards for a club relatively devoid of success.
Jimmy tried to pass on the good discipline and skill he had shown on the field, through the many youth teams he coached. He tried to encourage young players to enjoy football win or lose, rather then coerce them into a win at all costs attitude. Jimmy and his van, packed full with youth players was a common sight on the road to away matches hen there was no-one else around to take them. As with many of the clubs overheads, all crisps and lemonade were supplied as fee just as his time was. Jimmy's training and experience as a teacher was valuable in gaining the trust and respect of the young players. Again he took pride in their successes such as the winning of the grade 3 championship at Minor level in 2001 and U16 grade 3 championship in 2004.
On Saturday morning the 6th of October, the sun brightened as relatives and friends of Jimmy gathered outside the family home.
The Stewards who had organised the traffic so well the previous two nights had moved to St Brigid's church. The committee is grateful for all who assisted in this respect. The guards of honour provided by the Emmetts and Naomh Bríd Camogie Club, were but a token of the respect in which our community held Jimmy.
Father Benny Fee in his funeral sermon gave reference to Jimmy's life and summed up the feeling of the large congregation perfectly. Our hears go out to Dympna, Sean, Roisin and Aidan, his mother Teresa, sisters Mary, Patricia, Carmel and Brenda and the larger family circle. In paying tribute to Jimmy, we also pay tribute to all the deceased members of our club, with whom he is now reunited.
The respect he so often bestowed on them in the past is now in turn bestowed on him. Go ndeana Dia trocaire ar a anam.
Courtesy of The Tyrone Times.
30 October, 2007.
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