Jim McGoldrick – A Tribute
It was with great sadness and regret that on Tuesday afternoon 11th of March last, the news filtered through of the passing of Killoe GAA stalwart James (Jim) McGoldrick. The McGoldrick name has been associated with the club for generations, each of them playing crucial roles in its success both on and off the field. It is fair to say Jim carried on this tradition with pride and has left an enduring legacy in the club.
Jim’s involvement with the GAA began at a young age. He was a founding member of the Killoe Minor Club in 1975, while on the playing field he won a Minor Championship, an U-21 Championship and was also a member of the victorious 1985 Leader Cup panel. Jim also won a Fr. Manning Cup medal with Longford U16’s in 1976.
After completing his leaving cert at St. Mel’s College, Jim moved to Dublin to begin his training to become a psychiatric nurse. It was during this time he met Bríd Flannery from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary and the two would go on to marry in 1986. Not long after their marriage, like the thousands of others in the 1980’s, the couple emigrated to New York, and it was there that Jim continued his passion for all things GAA through involvement with the Longford GAA club in New York. He held numerous roles within the Longford club in the US, including being a selector on the 1997 Junior A Championship winning side and he also served as Longford GAA Club Chairman from 1998 to 2000.
While in New York, Jim and Bríd were blessed with the arrival of their two sons Denis and Ronan and in 2001, they made the decision to relocate their young family back to Killoe. This was soon followed by the birth of their daughter Darina.
Jim immediately immersed himself back into all things football related in the parish. Jim was a passionate clubman and volunteer, initially helping out and coaching at schoolboy along with underage club level, achieving great success. All of the players he coached will remember his passion for the game.
Jim was ahead of his time in many ways when it came to coaching of underage players; particularly his great love of practicing the skills. He encouraged players to constantly develop & improve the kicking off their weaker foot and passing off their weaker hand. In 2015, Jim was involved in introducing an assessment system to track young player’s skill improvement through all underage grades within the minor club and it is hoped that this will continue to bear fruit in the years to come.
Aside from coaching, Jim was brilliant with the young people of the parish. Many have told stories over the past few days of the acts of kindness and encouragement Jim gave them during their footballing careers from underage to adult football. In recognition of his contribution to underage football in the parish, Jim was voted Minor Club Person of the Year in 2005. This capped a fantastic year for Jim as he was also a selector on the victorious Minor Championship winning side – the first by the club, without being part of an amalgamation, since 1936.
In 2013, Jim took on the role of Vice-Chairman of our Senior club followed by becoming Chairman in 2016, a position he held for four years with great distinction. As Chairman, he guided the club to win Senior, Junior and U21 championship titles. All these achievements gave Jim immense pride, especially since his own two sons were integral members of senior championship winning sides.
Off the field, Jim oversaw the upgrading of our club facilities, including but not limited to the upgrading of our clubhouse, especially the main function room and the upgrading of the car park. During his term as chairman, Jim was steadfast in his commitment, his integrity and the high standards he applied to every duty or task he undertook. This too was recognised by the club membership when in 2019, he was voted senior club person of the year.
Jim receiving Clubman of the Year in 2019
One of Jim’s most significant and lasting achievements was not football related at all, but was the organising a sub-committee of the club’s executive to focus on health and wellbeing which resulted in Killoe GAA receiving the ‘Healthy Club’ designation.
As part of the ‘Healthy Club’ initiative, Jim was involved in organising the first Killoe 5Km and 10Km which was recently re-started this year by the Killoe Minor Club after it was stopped in 2020 due to Covid. Jim was also involved in setting up a code of behaviour for club members which specifically emphasised respect for others and anti-bullying. As a result of his work on the Healthy Club Initiative, Jim was presented the ‘Healthy Club Hero’ award by Dublin player Brian Fenton at a function in Croke Park.
This Healthy Club initiative ultimately led to the formation of the Killoe Men’s Shed which has been a monumental success for local men as a place to meet to socialise and to use their trade skills. It was a testament to Jim that members of the Killoe Men’s Shed formed part of the guard of honour outside his final resting place in Cullyfad cemetery.
While stepping back from executive roles in 2020, Jim continued to be an ever-present face around the club at matches and events. He was always there to help out on busy match days in Emmet Park whether it was a steward in the car park or doing the controls on the scoreboard.
Outside of football, Jim had a strong passion for politics and was chairman of the Killoe branch of Fine Gael for eight years. Jim received recognition from Fine Gael for his years of hard work in June 2024 with a special presentation in The Olde Forge. It was therefore also fitting that Jim received a guard of honour from local Fine Gael members at his grave side.
In his work with the Longford/Westmeath, Jim treated all residents with the utmost dignity and respect, and he always used humour as the first medication to be dispensed with each day. It was also fitting that his work colleagues formed part of the guard of honour on the day of his funeral.
To say Jim McGoldrick is a legend of Killoe GAA is an understatement. He was a player, coach, volunteer and leader. He was a man of great integrity and principle and he was not afraid to stand his ground when he felt others were being treated unfairly. However, most importantly he was a dear friend to many and his loss will be greatly felt by us all in Killoe and the wider Longford area.
While Jim had many achievements to be proud of within our parish, these pale in comparison to the pride and love he had for his wife Bríd and his three children, who have all represented our club at the highest levels.
McGoldrick family – Killoe GAA Dinner Dance 2024
The extent of appreciation for Jim was shown by the huge numbers of Killoe Young Emmets and Killoe Ladies players and members who formed two very large guards of honour at the funeral and also at Emmet Park on Jim’s final journey to Cullyfad cemetery from St Mary’s Church Ennybegs. The numerous Killoe flags that flew along this route was also very touching. We hope this small gesture gave Jim’s family some sense of comfort in their time of need.
To the McGoldrick family, his mother Nellie, Jim’s extended family and friends we offer our deepest sympathies.
Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh a Anam Dílis.
