Jimmy Smyth (Gaelic footballer) explained

Code:Football
Sport:Gaelic football
Jimmy Smyth
Irish:Séamus Mac Gabhann
Feet:6
Inches:1
Occupation:Secondary school teacher
County:Armagh
Province:Ulster
Club:Clan na Gael
Clcounty:9
Clprovince:3
Clallireland:0
Colleges:St Joseph's C.O.F.E., Belfast
Counties:Armagh
Icposition:Centre-forward
Icyears:1968–1981
Icprovince:2
Icallireland:0
Nfl:0
Allstars:1
Birth Date:1949
Birth Place:Waringstown, Northern Ireland

James Smyth (born 1949) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for the Clan na Gael club and at senior level for the Armagh county team.

Playing career

Smyth first played Gaelic football as a schoolboy with St Colman's College in Newry. As a member of the college's senior team, he won consecutive MacRory Cup titles as well as a Hogan Cup medal in 1967.[1] Smyth simultaneously enjoyed success at underage level with the Clan na Gael club, winning three Armagh MFC titles. He subsequently progressed to the club's senior team and won nine Armagh SFC titles in a golden age for the club between 1968 and 1981. Smyth also won three successive Ulster SCFC titles and was part of the Clan na Gael team beaten by UCD in the 1974 All-Ireland club final.[2]

Smyth first played for the Armagh senior football team in 1968. He quickly became a constant feature on the team and won a National League Division 3 title in 1976. After being appointed team captain in 1977, Smyth guided the team to a first Ulster SFC title in 24 years.[3] Armagh lost the subsequent All-Ireland final to Dublin, however, he ended the year by being named on the All-Star team.[4] Smyth won a second Ulster SFC title in 1980. His performances at inter-county level also earned inclusion on the Ulster team in the Railway Cup.

Coaching career

In retirement from playing, Smyth became involved in team management and coaching. He won two Armagh SFC titles as Clan na Gael manager, while he also won a number of school underage titles with St Paul's School in Lurgan.[5]

Media career

Smyth was also a commentator for the BBC.[6]

Honours

St Colman's College

1967

1967, 1968

Clan na Gael

1972, 1973, 1974

1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1981

Armagh

1977 (c), 1980

Notes and References

  1. News: Jimmy Smyth. 12 April 2001. Hogan Stand. 28 November 2022.
  2. News: Club Focus – Clan na Gael. 8 May 2020. The Sideline Eye. 28 November 2022.
  3. News: My Greatest Game: Former Armagh captain Jimmy Smyth relives 1977 Ulster Final. 16 May 2020. BBC Sport. 28 November 2022.
  4. News: The life and times of Armagh legend Jimmy Smyth. 2 June 2022. Gaelic Life. 28 November 2022.
  5. News: Jimmy Smyth honoured as CLG Ard Mhacha Uachtarán. Armagh GAA website. 28 November 2022.
  6. News: Neighbours St Paul's and Clan na Gael do battle for bragging rights and silverware in all-Lurgan Armagh championship final. The Irish News. Andy. Watters. 16 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20220817224053/https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2020/09/16/news/neighbours-st-paul-s-and-clan-na-gael-do-battle-for-bragging-rights-and-silverware-in-all-lurgan-armagh-championship-final-2068049/. 17 August 2022. ...Smyth, winner of nine senior championship medals, the Armagh skipper in the 1977 All-Ireland final and then a popular GAA commentator on BBC..