Murray, Jackie

December 05, 2008
The death took place recently in Surrey, England of former Club player Jackie Murray who was a President of the Club. Jackie first showed his attacking skills when he starred with St Mels College team in the early 1940's. By then he had also helped Gortletteragh win a schoolboys title. He soldiered with the club through some of their less successful years and he also played for Leitrim in the 1946 All Ireland Junior Final when they were beaten by Down. He won 2 Leitrim Senior Championships, one with Bornacoola in 1943 and one with Cloone in 1947. Gortletteragh did not field a team in either of these years and in fact there were 5 of our players on that successful Bornacoola team, all of whom were county players. By 1945, Jackie had emmigrated to London where he starred with the Tara club and also with London. He reached the All-Ireland Junior finals of 1948 and 1950 with London, but unfortunately once again, Jackie was on the losing team in these finals. He then lived in New York for a while where he starred with the Leitrim Club in the last 1950s. Jackie was also a hard working club officer with both the Tara Club in London and Leitrim Club in New York. Much travelled as he was, Jackie never forgot his roots or where he started his football career and he always kept a keen interest in Gortletteragh's fortunes on and off the field. He always bought tickets or helped out with fundraising ventures the club was undertaking. The club offers its sincere sympathy to Jackie's wife Mavis, his six children and all his relatives. Leitrim Observer, 5th December 2008

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