It was with deep sadness that we at the Saffron Gael heard this week of the sad passing of one of the GAA’s greatest characters and personal friend, Jamesy ‘Joey’ McAtamney. Trips to Portglenone to cover games haven’t been quite the same recently owing to his absence owing to long term illness.
‘Joey’ was an acquired taste. He took a deep delight in insulting me from the first time I covered a game in Portglenone but after the initial shock I came to realise that he greeted everyone in the same manner and came to look forward to the banter.
There is much more I could say about Jamesy but a facebook article by his nephew, Paul McCann perhaps sums him up better than anything I could say:
I think this photo sums up Uncle Joey in the best way possible. All Ireland final 2013, I turned round and there was Joey sitting behind me and that was the way he greeted me. If you knew Joey and you weren’t on the receiving end of one of these greetings or similar ones then I’m sorry to say but he just didn’t like you . The most ignorant ill-bred man to walk this planet, but all done with love and banter. He always loved the craic, slagging people and getting slagged by people was without doubt some of the things he loved most. Aimee McAtamney summed up Joeys brother John using the 3 ‘F’s’, Faith, Family and Football, and those very same ‘F’s’ could be used to sum up Joey as well, however I have to say there is also a 4th ‘F’ to describe Joey too, but that word isn’t for Facebook
. There will never be another like my Uncle Joey and without doubt he will be missed by so many people. Portglenone and we in the McAtamney family have lost a real character and gentleman, but his memory will be held fondly by all for generations to come.
Rest in Peace Uncle Joey
Roger Casements GAC Portglenone carried the following tribute on its website
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The Committee and Members of Roger Casement’s GAC deeply regret the death of our esteemed President James McAtamney and offer our deepest condolences to the McAtamney family circle.
A long life of service to both our Clubs, Roger Casements and Geraldines CC and the wider GAA across Antrim and Ulster.
A larger than life character, Jamesy was never shy to offer his advice and opinion, whether asked for or not!
Coming from a family steeped in GAA tradition, Jamesy was the definition of a GAA club stalwart, dedicating his life to Casements and Geraldine CC.
He held virtually every position in the club from player, manager, treasurer, secretary and referee. In 1952 at the age of 19 he was elected treasurer, beginning a lifelong involvement in the running of the club. One of his proudest moments was being elected Club President in 2002. Another being awarded the Irish News Club Vounteer Award in 2011.
Joey also held positions in SW Antrim committees and was a selector in the Antrim U21 team that won the All Ireland in 1979.
A huge loss to Casements & Geraldines, the craic on the sidelines and social club won’t be the same again. Jamesy will now be reunited with his great friend and sparring partner Mickey Kelly, who we lost a few months ago.
We offer our sincere condolences to the McAtamney family
A Thiarna, deán trócaire air
One of my most treasured photographs is one I had taken with Jamesy back at the opening of their club’s new pitch ‘Kelly Park’ back in 2018 where I added the caption ‘The day I met the President’
Jamesey’s remains will leave the Funeral Home, 43 Glenone Road, Clady (Corner), Portglenone, on Friday 16th August at 10.20am for 11am Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Portglenone (which can be viewed via the parish webcam), burial immediately afterwards in Aughnahoy Cemetery.
Our Lady of the Gaels pray for him