Anocht is Uaigneach Tir Eoghain
Real history-makers are scarce, and those who make it at different times and in different ways are scarcer still. But the most precious of all are those who make it with style, class and honour.
For those reasons alone, and they sit with many others, Gaelic Tyrone is a poorer and more melancholic place following the death of our true legend, Jody O’Neill.
Already a Tyrone Minor and Senior Champion with The Fianna, a teenage Jody Captained our first-ever Ulster SFC-winning team in 1956, going on to become a stellar player for Tyrone and Ulster during the 1960s, winning four Railway Cups in that golden era for Ulster football.
More history-making followed as a manager, with Jody guiding Tyrone to the 1968 All-Ireland Junior Championship, and to Ulster Senior and Under 21 titles in the early 1970s. Those achievements were central to creating a Tyrone momentum that has never since faltered, a momentum he further accelerated as a founder-member of Club Tyrone.
All the while Jody was a man of honour, decency, class and respect, who played both life and the game as they should be played.
‘Na caoin deor ar m’imeacht, ach cuimhnigh mar a bhí mé | Do not mourn my departure, but remember me as I was.’
Our deepest sympathy goes to Barbara, Blanch, Yvette, Martin, Eugene, Raymond, Fiona, Cyril, Adele, Austin, and Terry, to his wide family circle, to his many friends, colleagues and customers, to those he played with and managed, to all those who delighted in what he did for us, and to the Gaels of Coalisland.
‘I measc Naomh na hÉireann agus Laochra na nGael go raibh sé | May he be among the Saints of Ireland and the Heroes of the Gael.’
https://www.funeraltimes.com/jodyoneill937044225
By Gerard Sun 4th Aug
