Family and friends of the late Jim Murphy (1942 – 2014) joined with management and staff of Knocknagoshel Sport and Recreational Association Ltd to unveil a plaque in the gymnasium to commemorate the memory of the late Mr. Murphy on the second anniversary of this passing.
The event was held on Sunday, February 21st and Jim’s tireless work on behalf of the project, and others in his native village, was honoured.
Enormous Contribution
“Jim made an enormous contribution and worked tirelessly to provide services in the local area and in particular the facilities at Meenbannivane. He was founder member of Knocknagoshel Sports & Recreation Association Ltd. He was the first company secretary and played a leading role in securing Leader funding which established a Social Economy scheme here. The project is now funded by Pobal under its Community Services Programme employing six staff and a manager,”
according to company chairman, Dan Neligan.
John Reidy 15/8/2008
Glowing Tributes
“Other directors: Larry Keane, Thomas O’Connor and Tom Greaney paid glowing tributes to Jim and recalled how he was always interested in social activities, the G.A.A. and community work.
“His great work as a director of the Sliabh Luachra Board for many years and was instrumental in securing the necessary state funding for projects in the area.
“He emigrated to Birmingham as a young man. He became the first secretary of the Kingdom Football Club in Birmingham and together with the late Liam Cotter, The Spa, they organised the club and recruited the players, mainly Kerry exiles.
“He came home in 1964 to work in the Ball Bearing Factory in Tralee and spent the remainder of his working life with Borg Warner- Tillotson until his retirement.
“Jim served as correspondent for the popular local magazine, Sliabh Luachra Outlook and arrangement for the distribution of the Saturday issue to the local shops and licensed premises. He never missed a week during his time with the Outlook.
Community Gym
“His interaction with the management and staff of the community gym was always supportive and positive and he took great pleasure in seeing the membership grow and the staff providing an important service in terms of recreational and healthy activities for the people that use the facilities,” said Mr. Neligan.
The late Jim’s brother, Donal, on behalf of the family, thanked the directors and staff for organising this event as a mark of respect and remembrance to honour the memory and work he did in the locality.
“Jim looking down would be very proud of the excellent achievements of all involved in this project. His work and effort have borne fruit and this fitting plaque will ensure that he will always be remembered for his association with this top class facility in the locality,” said Donal.
He specially thanked Tom Greaney who was a close friend and confidant of Jim’s all through his life; facility manager Kathleen Cremins and staff who were held in high esteem for their great work by Jim.
