The communities of Grangecon and Stratford were shocked to learn of the sudden death of Harry Coates last week. Harry was a very valued player with Stratford/Grangecon in the sixties and the seventies. He played corner back on a lot of winning teams and holds many medals including winning the Ballitore Tournament and a Leinster trophy in 1968, a Boothman Trophy medal in 1969 when Stratford were the very first Junior team ever to win this competition.
While searching through the records, Harry's name appears frequently on winning teams including several Corcoran Cup medals, Shield medals and a Tutty Cup in 1971.
On the training evenings Harry would do his rounds collecting other players in Grangecon, his Volkswagon Beetle would be loaded to the ground when he would arrive in Stratford. He was a staunch Stratford/Grangecon supporter all his life and he never waivered in that loyalty to the very end.
Our sympathy to Jimmy, Des and Noel and his extended Coars and Norton families.
May he rest in peace.

Wicklow People, 29th January 2014 Tweet

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