The late Matt Grimley The death has occured following a illness of Mr Matthew (Matt) Grimley, a member of a well known Armagh business and GAA family. He resided at 20 Mullanstown Park, Armagh where he died. Matt was a member of the Armagh Harps GFC all his life and club members formed a guard of honour at his funeral. He played on the famous Harps team of the 1950's that won several senior county championships. He had made the No 7 jersey his own, a stylish and most consistent defender. He won an Ulster Minor medal with Armagh in 1951, playing along with Big Paddy McArdle, whose daughter Annette is married to his son John, It was Big Paddy (now domicile in Dungannon) who scored a memorable goal in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kerry. Unfortunately Matt was denied his All-Ireland medal. Armagh losing the final following a replay. He loved the old game, the traditional catch and kick, yet quickly warmed to the new modern era to which his family have contributed so much. Three of his sons - twins Mark and John and Kiernan, played football with Harps in keeping with family tradition, but another son Paul, who is presently assistant to Joe Kernan, running the county senior team, became the black sheep of the family and switched allegiance to great rivals Pearse Óg. They all won senior championship medals with their respective clubs and Matt shared in their joy and achievement. Matt was never one to criticise and despite how poorly his club or county may have performed, he could always afford a smile and look on the bright side. He was of course, the eternal optimist. The highlight of his GAA involvement was Armagh winning the All-Ireland in 2002 and the fact that his son Paul, was the assistant manager of the team, made the historic break through all the more delightful. It was also a proud moment for Matt when the twins, Mark and John, were selected to represent Ireland in the Compromise Rules series in 1990 in Australia, John was one of the leading marksmen in Ireland's victory. Matt loved reminiscing about the old times, the names of former stalwarts he played with and against, dates, events and incidents rolled off the top of his tongue with remarkable ease and accuracy. He never missed a game at the Athletic Grounds which held so many fond memories for him including those unforgettable epic battles of the 50's between Harps and Keady Dwyers in which he was involved. His heart and soul was in football and he played alongside some of the greatest footballers the city has ever produced including Jack Bratton, Pat Campbell (RIP), Joe Cunningham, Dessie Harney, Seamus O'Hanlon, Big Paddy McArdle and his own brother Gerry Grimley (RIP). Matt worked for many years as a tanker driver with an Oil Company and was known throughout the province for what he was - an honest, decent, obliging and friendly man. He was married to the former Miss Rita Dougan who was also involved in the GAA. She was his constant companion. Also left to mourn his loss are his sons Paul, Kieran, Brian, Mark and John, daughters Brenda and Lisa, grandchildren and large family circle to whom deepest sympathy is extended. The funeral Mass was celebrated in St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh and burial followed in St Patrick's Cemetery. Courtesy of the Armagh Observer June 2004 Tweet

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