Main photo – Antrim manager Jody Gormley with the Saffrons in Croke Park in 2007
It is with deep sorrow we at the Saffron Gael learned of the recent death of former Antrim manager Jody Gormley.
Jody will be remembered much further afield for his exploits with Tyrone and he played at midfield for the Tyrone side who lost narrowly to Dublin in the 1995 All Ireland final.
Following his playing days with the O’Neill County, Jody had a brief stint in London before returning to Ireland where he would finish with South Belfast club, Bredagh, which he would also later manage.
In-between times, he had a spell as coach to the Down footballers under manager Paddy O’Rourke before taking the reins with Antrim in late 2006, having managed Abbey CBS to the Hogan Cup earlier that year.
Antrim fans will remember Jody Gormley during his time as the county’s footballer manager and in his first year at the helm, he guided the Saffrons to the Tommy Murphy Cup final in Croke Park where they suffered late heartbreak against Wicklow.
12 months later the teams were back in the decider with Antrim coming out on top, a victory that was credited as a catalyst for a subsequent rise in the fortunes of football in the county.
A man who lived and breathed football, Jody Gormley’s most recent success in management was when he led his beloved Trillick to the 2023 Tyrone title and it was in the immediate aftermath of defeat to Errigal Ciaran in this year’s championship that he informed the Trillick players that he was suffering from cancer.
We listened with amazement at his courage as he accepted his terminal illness with great courage and fortitude and the GAA has lost one of its truly great servant’s.
Antrim fans got a final glimpse of their former county manager when he attended the Ulster championship opener between Errigal Ciaran and Erin’s Own Cargin at Corrigan Park in Belfast.
Jody Gormley will be remembered in the Saffron County for his contribution to our Couty football team and his impact will not be forgotten.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Jody’s wife Deirdre, his children Aine, Niamh and James and his extended family and colleagues.
Our Lady of the Gael pray for him!
Jody Gormley just a few short weeks ago at Corrigan Park to watch the Errigal Ciaran game against Cargin