Legendary Dundalk FC manager Jim McLaughlin is laid to rest

Legendary Dundalk manager Jim McLaughlin was remembered at his funeral Mass as a man who “brought joy to many lives and made the lives of many brighter”.

Mourners gathered in St Fursey's Church in Haggardstown on Sunday afternoon to bid a final farewell to Jim, who as Dundalk FC manager in the 70s and 80s, led the team to multiple league titles, FAI Cups and European recognition.

Dundalk FC players lined the road as the cortège took the former Dundalk FC and League of Ireland manager on his final journey.

And while tributes were paid to Jim, who passed away at the age of 83 last Thursday, for his many accolades and awards, his family also remembered him as a loving father to his children, grandfather and great-grandfather and devoted husband to Reina.

His daughter Jane, speaking to the gathered congregation, said: “Many of you knew him as a successful footballer but to us he was simply Dad.

“Each of us carry cherished memories which reflect his love and dedication as a father and husband.”

Jane spoke about Jim and Reina's loving marriage over 62 years.

“Beyond being a wonderful father, Dad was also a devoted husband”, she said.

“He and Mam were married for 62 years, a remarkable journey together through life's ups and downs.

“Mam was beside him through it all; the good times and the challenging ones.

“Their love and commitment to each other is a testament to the strength of their bond, a bond that lasted over six decades.”
Jane concluded: “Today we celebrate a life well lived by a man who embraced every moment and had no regrets.

“Dad lived a full and vibrant life and his legacy lives on in each of us.”
Symbols that reflected Jim's life were brought to the alter by his loved ones, including a family photograph who were “the foundation and rock of his life”, parish priest Fr Padraig Keenan said.

Also among the mementos of Jim's life were an international cap, a soccer football, a Derry book representing his roots and where he was born, and a Birches bus, representing the kind and loving people of the Birches who cared for him.

Fr Keenan paid tribute to Jim saying the liturgy was one of thanks and celebration.

He said: “Jim was one, as many know, not for embracing accolades or awards, but humbly he quietly lived his life with no show or fuss.

“In the spirit of his life lets us acknowledge with thanks his presence, his life of 83 years.

“We acknowledge that other word celebration. He gave reasons for many to celebrate on and off the field.

“We celebrate and give thanks for Jim's life.

“Acknowledging all the accolades and awards that were attributed to him in life, and there were many. So many others were delighted to embrace that experience.

“Today we acknowledge with thanks his life, a life that unfolded in many ways, through work sport, especially soccer, and his family.”

Fr Keenan in his homily said: “Jim's life among us has drawn to a close, for all those that connected with him can truly say, his life has been worth living.

“More importantly, in challenging times during the 70s and 80s he brought joy to many lives and made the lives of many brighter, maybe the opposition weren't too pleased though.

“For those of us who knew Jim, he was not one to claim the spotlight, he was a very humble man in his own way.

“Reina said to me he was always in good form, he always had a laugh and wanted not alone himself but others to be happy.

“But I added a little antidote, I know for a fact he was never happy if he lost a soccer match.”

Fr Keenan continued: “There was always a presence about Jim; a presence that was good.

“He had three very simple mottos in life – the first was to treat others the way you would like to be treated; take people for what they are and finally do your best.

“Thus it is not surprising no matter wherever he was, wherever he played or managed he was respected all.

“He had a wonderful rapport with people.

“He was a player's manager, a player's people, a player's person, no wonder so many became not only average but good sports people.

“Above all Jim McLaughlin was a people's person.”

Fr Keenan said Jim's success was captured in “the wisdom of those who invited him as a player manager in 19 74 to Dundalk”.
“A town, a county that became his home with Reina and the family since.”

“Jim brought glory and success wherever he was. He was the face of League of Ireland, some described him as a legend and rightly so”, the parish priest continued.

“And no doubt in the annals of history Jim will have a major contribution.

“However, sport didn't define the individual.

“Not alone was he successful from a sporting perspective but also from a working perspective.

“And more importantly Jim McLaughlin was a husband, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a relative and friend.

“He was a family man.”

Jim; beloved husband of Reina, cherished dad of Paul, Sean, Jane and Martin, and much-loved brother, grandfather and great-grandfather; was laid to rest in St Fursey's Church cemetery.