James (Jim/Jimmy) Reidy, Mallow and late of Ballymacelligott, passed away peacefully at Mount Alvernia Hospital, Mallow on March 16th, surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy was born in Clogher, Ballymacelligott and would have celebrated his 88th birthday last Friday. Born to Michael and Hannah Reidy he was the youngest of six, four boys and two girls. He attended O'Brennan national school where he started playing football and sold jam jars to make money to buy his first football. He attended the Christian Brothers secondary school in Tralee and afterwards his mother wanted him to stay at home and start a pig farm but after a short time working in a solicitor's office in Tralee, he joined An Garda Siochana and headed off to Templemore.
After training he was stationed in Maam Cross, Moycullen and The Aran Islands. He was fortunate enough to play on the founding team of Fr Griffin's Football Club in Galway in 1948 and they won the County Championship in 1948, 1949, 1950, 1952 and 1953. His brother Jerry was the trainer. It was during his time in Galway that his love for the Irish language grew and he imparted this love for his native language to his own family and thirteen grandchildren.
Jim loved greyhound racing and coursing: it stemmed from home, a hobby he shared with his brothers Paddy and Jerry. It was while he was stationed in Roscommon he met his wife-to-be Lily and they created a union which lasted for forty-seven years. They settled in Mallow where Jim served as a detective for the most part of forty-six years. He retired in 1989 and it was only fitting that, on the night, he was presented with two greyhound pups.
Jim was fortunate to enjoy good health until very recent years. He will be sadly missed by Lily, their daughters Siobhan (Mallow), Eilish (Mallow), Sine (US), Orlaith (US) and son Michael (Australia)

Kerry's Eye, 27th April 2014 Tweet

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