Death of Centenary Cup goalkeeper, Jimmy Fay

Meath footballer of the Year 1980 and popular Trim clubman passes away

The death has occurred of former Meath and Trim footballer, Jimmy Fay.

Meath Footballer of the Year in 1980, he was goalkeeper on the county team that won the Centenary Cup ingbeat Monaghan in the special competition to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gaelic Games Association in 1984. It was Sean Boylan's first major competition win as Meath manager, and Jimmy's son, Darren, was to go on to play a major part in later Meath teams with Boylan, achieving All-Ireland success in 1996 and '99.

Jimmy first came to notice alongside his brother, Mickey, both as forwards on the Trim side that won the club's first minor county championship in 1968. He was introduced to the Meath minor team midway through the second half of a championship game against Westmeath to turn the game around, setting up a goal and scoring a goal. He also made his club senior debut that year.

In 1970 he was a substitute on the Meath senior team that played in the Leinster final, a game in which Mickey was brought on as a substitute, scoring two goals in Meath's great comeback. Meath went on to the All-Ireland SFC final that year, when they were beaten by Kerry.

He was a stalwart with the Trim team throughout the 1970s and into the '80s, moving to defence, and finishing his career in goal on the 1980s county team. He first played in goals for the Meath senior footballers in 1978, mainly as a result of his performances with the Trim Celtic junior soccer team!

His parents, the late Paddy and Peggy were prominent business people in Trim, best known as proprietors of Fay's Hotel, and a pharmacy business.

Jimmy passed away peacefully at his home in Avondale last night. Predeceased by his baby son, Ryan, and brother, Pat. He is survived by his wife, Angela; family, Darren, Aaron, Jamie, and Kylie; grandchildren, Emily, Eva, Rian, Charlie, Eli & Faye; brother, Mickey, and extended family.

He is reposing in McEvoy's Funeral Home, Market Street, Trim, on Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass Saturday at 11am in St Patrick's Church, Trim, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome, arriving for 1.45pm in the Victorian Chapel. House Private at all times. Family Flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Cancer Society.