Sarsfields GAA Club (Galway)
Draw Details for July 31 2023
| Prize |
Value |
Winners |
Jackpot
Match 4 numbers to win/share. |
€ 6,600.00 |
0 |
Match 3
Match 3 numbers to win/share. |
€ 20.00 |
5 |
There was widespread shock and sadness in Galway GAA and farming circles following the sudden death of
former Galway hurler and well-known referee Jimmy Cooney. In a glittering hurling career Jimmy amassed
an impressive medal haul which includes: one All Ireland Senior Medal, two All Star Awards, three Galway
Senior Hurling Titles, one All Ireland Club Title and one Galway Intermediate Hurling Title.
To his wife Kay, son Fiacra, daughters Sarah, Ciara and Tara, daughter-in-law Lisa, Sarah’s partner Nino,
grandchildren James and Róisín and the extended Cooney family we offer our heartfelt condolences.
Jimmy was the second oldest in a family of fifteen children born to the late Mick and Nora Cooney of
Carramore, Bullaun. He was educated in Scoil Éanna, National School, Bullaun and the De La Salle Brothers
Secondary School in Loughrea.
Jimmy displayed a lot of promise as an underage hurler with Sarsfields GAA Club and was selected at left
half back on the Galway Under 21 Team for the All Ireland Semi Final against Cork in 1975. In that game,
played in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe Jimmy acquitted himself admirably.
In 1976 Jimmy was the driving force as Sarsfields were crowned Intermediate Hurling Champions and
achieved Senior status for the Club. Also, at this time Jimmy was making a name for himself with the
Loughrea Mart/Tynagh Mines Interfirm Team which contested numerous All Ireland Finals against
Avonmore Dairies from Kilkenny. This propelled Jimmy onto the Galway Senior panel.
1980 was a golden year for Jimmy, he was player/selector when Sarsfields won its first Senior County Title.
Jimmy was also a tenacious cornerback when Galway bridged a fifty-seven year-gap by defeating Limerick
in the All Ireland Final to win the Liam McCarthy Cup. Marking the renowned Ollie O’Connor that day and
holding him scoreless earned Jimmy the first of his two All Star Awards.
Jimmy captained Galway to Oireachtas success in 1981 when Galway defeated Waterford in the final
played in St Brendan’s Park, Loughrea. In 1989 Jimmy along with his five brothers, Pakie, Michael, Joe,
Brendan and the late Peter, God rest him, won his second County Senior Title when Sarsfields defeated
Athenry in the final. In 1992 Jimmy was a member of the Sarsfields squad that defeated Carnmore in the
County Final and picked up an All-Ireland medal on St Patrick’s Day 1993 when Sarsfields overcame
Kilmallock in the Club Final.
Sarsfields Camogie Club also benefited from Jimmy’s expertise as a team trainer and in fundraising
ventures.
Jimmy served Sarsfields GAA Club not only as a player and selector but also as Chairperson, MC, auctioneer
at fundraising events and of course as Club Referee. Jimmy officiated at County Finals in all grades in
Galway where his common-sense style of refereeing elevated him onto the Inter-County Referees Panel.
Jimmy bowed out of refereeing following the All-Ireland Intermediate Final between Kilkenny and Limerick
in 1998. Limerick won a high-scoring game that day which featured a young Henry Shefflin for Kilkenny
while John Kiely lined out at corner back for Limerick.
Jimmy was never far from the action and was a selector with the Galway double All-Ireland winning
Masters Hurling Team of 2005 and 2006. This year 2023, another cohort of players were benefitting from
Jimmy’s knowledge and experience as he took on the role of selector with Sarsfields Junior B and C teams.
Jimmy and his wife Kay raised cattle and sheep on their family farm in Ballyara, Bullaun. They were great
neighbours and always willing to lend a helping hand. Jimmy was an active member of the Bullaun IFA
Branch and was a Loughrea Mart Committee Member prior to his appointment as Loughrea Mart Manager
in 2013.
Jimmy was a man of action, with strong leadership and communication skills which he put to great use in
various community organisations in Bullaun such as the Drama Group, the Group Water Scheme, the
Sports Field Committee, the Parish Council, the Cemetery Committee, the Defibrillator Committee, Hall
Committee and the Board of Management of Bullaun National School. One of Jimmy’s proudest
achievements is the new Bullaun Car Park which was his brainchild and is a wonderful amenity for the
parish.
Six months ago, Jimmy delivered the eulogy at his dear mother Nora’s funeral Mass. Jimmy was a fantastic
orator and his off the cuff speech gave a great insight into life in the Cooney family and in rural Ireland
throughout the decades. Last Friday night in his local, The Harbour Bar, Bullaun, Jimmy celebrated his
sixty-ninth birthday with his family and many friends and neighbours.
Jimmy was loved and respected in his club, his county and beyond and today Fr Tom Shanahan, a proud
Limerick man has the Galway flag flying at half-mast in the grounds of the Carmellite Abbey, Loughrea in
memory of his friend. Jimmy was a great neighbour, a community activist and a Galway and Sarsfields
legend. Ní bheidh a leitheid arís ann.
Sarsfields GAA Club wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to Jimmy’s wife Kay, son Fiacra, daughters
Sarah, Ciara and Tara, his daughter-in-law Lisa, Sarah’s partner Nino, his adored grandchildren James and
Róisín. His sisters Mary, Teresa, Breege, Geraldine, Philomena, Martina, Angela and Joan; his brothers
Pakie, Michael, Joe and Brendan; his uncles Pat and Peter, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law,
partners, relatives, former team mates, club mates, neighbours, work colleagues and his many, many
friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.
Please Note
The prize amounts above are what each winner will receive.
