Tributes have been paid to ‘wonderful character’ Michael (Mick) Murray of Glenbrook, Ballyroan, who passed away on St Patrick’s Day, Sunday, March 17.
Mick founded the Ballyroan Vintage Club and was a former chairman of Colt GAA.
Mick proudly wore the number 14 when Colt defeated Ballinakill in the 1971 Intermediate Hurling Final.
Mick was a staunch supporter of the GAA and had many children and grandchildren from both the Murray and Grant families involved in local and intercounty teams, including MJ Tierney, Craig Rogers and Chris Murray.
He died unexpectedly, on St Patrick’s Day, surrounded by his loving family.
Tributes have flown in from a number of the groups which Mick was involved in.
Taking to Facebook, the Ballyroan Vintage Club remembered him fondly.
They said: “Mick was a great friend to all, a loveable rogue with a twinkle in his eye. Mick was predeceased by his loving wife Bridgie and infant son Edward Patrick.
“An amazing family man to his daughters Breda, Cathy, Carmel, Lorraine and Michelle, sons in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family.
“He will always be remembered as a great man for all things community, he never missed anything to do with the Vintage or any sports in the community.
“A truly wonderful man who was a pleasure to know. His absence will be hugely felt in the heart of the community. The club would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his family at this sad time.”
Local councillor Mary Sweeney paid tribute to Mick, whom she said she was proud to call ‘a great neighbour and friend’.
“He was a wonderful character who was always willing to help out in the community far and wide. He a very decent man who was always up for a bit of banter and slagging.
“His keen sense of humour and larger than life personality endeared him to all age groups.”
She spoke about his trips to the bog in Colt where he managed to gather a huge crowd around him on those summer evenings.
Cllr Sweeney added: “He was a gentleman who always lived his life to the full. He embodied everything positive in life and I am very proud to have called him a neighbour and a friend.”
Ballyroan Abbey Juvenile GAA also weighed in in their tributes to Mick as ‘an ever present figure’.
They said: “An ever present figure at football matches for years also and a great supporter of our juvenile teams, Mick could be found at Cumann na mbunscol matches and many championship final days out on the pitch slapping backs with the best of them.
“A great supporter of all our ladies also. Grandfather of present minor Conaire Gee, and also to one of our best ever juvenile players in MJ Tierney, Mick will be sorely missed by all who crossed his path!
“A fair operator on the edge of the square in his own day, if there is a team up above looking for a big target man then their prayers have been answered and our loss is surely their gain! RIP Mick Murray.”
Mick is predeceased by his loving wife Brigid and son Edward Patrick. Deeply regretted his daughters Breda, Carmel, Cathy, Lorraine,and Michelle, sons-in-law Denis, John, Robert, Jim and Liam, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Kathleen and Mary, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, neighbours, relatives and many friends.
Reposing in his home from 3pm on Monday and from 3pm on Tuesday Recital of The Rosary at 9pm on Tuesday night.
Funeral arriving for 12 noon Requiem Mass on Wednesday in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyroan.
Burial afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery. House Private on Wednesday morning.
May Mick Rest in Peace.
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