Jimmy Stafford

It was with great sadness and regret yesterday that we learned of the passing of one of Killinkere GFC’s most famous sons, Jimmy Stafford.

Jimmy won two McRory Cup medals with St Patrick’s College Cavan in 1961 and 1962. Later in 1962, as an 18-year-old, Jimmy won an Ulster junior medal before scoring two goals from half-forward in the shock defeat of the reigning two-time All-Ireland champions Down in the Ulster Senior Final. Jimmy added another Ulster senior medal in 1964.

With UCD, Jimmy had Sigerson Cup glory, and in 1973, he was part of the Combined Universities Team which won the Railway Cup, the only time that a non-provincial team won this famous competition.

With Killinkere, Jimmy played a key role in the strong 1960s team which contested three junior finals in a row, from 1963 to 1965. He was a member of the Junior League winning teams of 1961 and 1963. The highlight of his time in the green and gold came in 1972 when, as captain, he led Killinkere to their first Junior Championship since 1956. In later years, he served as a selector to the Cavan Senior Team under his former county teammate, Gabriel Kelly.

Jimmy enjoyed golf and playing Bridge after his retirement from football, and his competitive nature remained very strong.

Killinkere GFC extend their heartfelt condolences to Jimmy’s wife, Úna, to his daughters, Jennifer, Katie and Fionnuala, and to his sons, David and Donagh. Also, to his sisters Dympna, Carmel, Nancy, Rosemary and his brothers Aiden, Thomas, Pe and Brendan, his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours, and friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Ní neart gur cur le chéile.