The GAA Presidents Award Winner Jimmy Mc Elhatton (RIP) along with his wife Rose in Feb 2020
It is with great sadness that all at Coiste Thír Eoghain have learned of the passing of Jimmy McElhatton, An Charraig Mhór, father of current Tyrone senior hurler Conor.
For all involved in any capacity with Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Thír Eoghain, and indeed further afield, Jimmy McElhatton is a familiar figure. A lifelong member of Naomh Colmcille and Éire Óg, An Charraig Mhór, Jimmy is the epitome of all that is good about our Association.
Throughout his years of service to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jimmy has fulfilled most roles – player, committee member, club officer, County Board delegate, groundsman, selector, referee – you name it, Jimmy has probably done it at some stage.
Jimmy was a highly respected referee within the county for 24 years, only hanging up the whistle following a health scare whilst refereeing a game in 2003. It is testament to the high regard that he was held in that he was the man in black for such a prolonged period refereeing county finals and intercounty games.
A man that embodied the true spirit of the Association, Jimmy was always there to provide assistance in any way, no matter when it was asked of him.
A permanent fixture at Páirc Colmcille, there was always a fáilte and a cúpán tae any time anyone had the pleasure of visiting the clubrooms. Jimmy was able to regale those assembled of days gone by and the scorers and score lines from various matches throughout the years. On numerous occasions, Jimmy facilitated Coiste Thír Eoghain for games at short notice, particularly in times of inclement weather and he took great pride in the fact that Páirc Colmcille could accommodate games when the weather had prevented games from taking place elsewhere.
Jimmy and his beloved wife Rose also took great pleasure in attending Scór in Tyrone, Ulster and further afield – travelling the length and breadth of Ireland in the winter months to experience all forms of our culture – music, song and dance. Having travelled to all corners of Ireland, Jimmy had many friends and his loss will be deeply felt among the Scór community.
Jimmy’s contribution to CLG Thír Eoghain was recognised in 2018 when he was awarded the Credo Gold pin for 50 years of service to the GAA. This award recognises the contribution made to your club and there was no more worthy recipient than Jimmy.
Jimmy’s lifelong involvement was also honoured nationally by Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan, in 2020 when he was awarded Gradam an Uachtaráin. This award was in recognition of Jimmy’s commitment, passion and drive for over half a century and there was no one who deserved this recognition more.
If one were to design the ultimate Gael, Jimmy Mc Elhatton is the model to provide inspiration. He was committed to all aspects of our Association – sport, spraoí agus cultúr. He provided of his time and energy without fuss and with no expectation of anything in return. It is men of the calibre of Jimmy McElhatton that the founders of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael had in mind when attempting to protect and promote our games and culture. He was the personification of An Fhíor Ghael.
CLG Thír Eoghain are fortunate that he was one of ours and his passion for our games has been passed on to subsequent generations with his children and grandchildren all being involved in the playing and administration of our games.
Coiste Thír Eoghain extends its deepest sympathies to Jimmy’s loving wife Rose, his sons Sean, Pearse, Plunkett, Ciaran (leas cathaoirleach Éire Óg), current Tyrone Senior Hurler Conor and daughter Mairead, his grandchildren, the wider McElhatton family and his clubs of Naomh Colmcille and Éire Óg. Is lá brónach é seo do ghaeil Thír Eoghain agus muintir na Carraige Móire. Tá sibh inar gcuid smaointe agus paidreacha. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
