Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí ag anam cineálta Jimmy. Beidh uaigneas mór air.

Throughout the 121 year history of Trim GAA the club have been blessed with brilliant players and great characters, but few filled both boots as well as the legendary Jimmy Fay who sadly passed away on Tuesday following a battle with illness.

Known as a goalkeeper by most ardent Meath GAA fans outside of the walls of Trim, Jimmy was one of the finest footballers ever to don the red jersey and his no nonsense defensive attributes and ability to mark even the best players out of a game signalled him as one of the finest players in the county, he was fairly handy when deployed in an attacking role too. He won the Meath Footballer of the Year award in 1980.

As a minor footballer Jimmy played centre-forward with Meath and he helped Trim to two MFC titles in the '60s. He also won an u-16 FC, u-17 FC and two MHC medals with the club.

Jimmy, and his brother Michael, were both members of the Meath panel that lost to Kerry in the 1970 All-Ireland SFC final.

As well as that Leinster SFC medal in 1970, Jimmy also won an O'Byrne Cup with Meath and a Feis Cup title with Trim in 1976 as an outfield player, but it was as a goalkeeper that Jimmy really made his name.

A string of outstanding displays between the posts for Trim Celtic brought him to the attention of the Meath selectors and in 1978 he started to play in goals for the Royal County.

He was between the sticks and kept a clean sheet when Meath defeated Monaghan by 0-10 to 0-8 in the Centenary Cup final in Croke Park in 1984, a victory regarded by Sean Boylan as the one that kick started the revival of Meath as a Gaelic football super power.

As well as having a booming kickout, Jimmy was also a remarkable shot-stopper and his agility marked him as one of the finest goalkeepers in the country.

His wit and mischief also made him a lovable and cherished team mate at both club and county level and stories are often told by many Royal legends about how he was the life blood of the Meath team, the one who kept everyone laughing, and on their toes, during some difficult times for Meath.

Later in life Jimmy became the often sought after 'taxi man' of choice for those of a GAA inclination looking for a lift home. Five or 10 minute journeys often turned into discussions, debates and story-telling sessions about Trim and Meath that would last half the night.

His knowledge of football was utilised as a manager and coach and he guided Trim to the 1997 Meath SFC final, where his side lost out to Navan O'Mahonys.

His passion for Meath football, while understated and never shouted from the rooftops, was undiminished as he watched his son Darren win everything the game had to offer at county and international level and he was equally as proud when Aaron also donned the red of Trim and the green and gold of Meath.

Our deepest sympathies to Jimmy's wife Angela, sons Darren and Aaron, daughters Jamie and Kylie and grandchildren, brother Michael and all his wide family and friends.

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis

Funeral Details

Reposing in Mc Evoy's Funeral Home, Market Street, Trim on Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass Saturday at 11am in St. Patrick's Church , Trim followed by Cremation in Mount Jerome arriving for 1.45pm in the Victorian Chapel.

House Private at all times. If you wish to leave a message for the Fay Family the Condolence Book is open below this notice. Family Flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society.

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