The popular Jimmy McGrath was the latest recipient of the Fermanagh and Western Hall of Fame with the Lisbellaw United clubman receiving his award at a function in the Killyhevlin Hotel last Friday night.

Jimmy has given 50 years service to his club as a player, manager and now as club President, and although modest about his achievements, he was delighted to have received the award.

“I was overjoyed to be honoured by the Fermanagh and Western; where those 50 years went, I don’t know, but I was absolutely delighted to get it!

“There’s no doubt there were boys who were more worthy of it than me but as I said on the night, ‘I’ll take it when I get it!’” laughed Jimmy, who was pleased to have his family there for the occasion.

“I had the whole family there with me and my sisters were home for it as well, and that made it special.

“A great night”

“I just want to thank the Fermanagh and Western, the Management Committee and all the people who turned up to make it a great night,” he added.

Jimmy received his award from Fermanagh and Western Secretary, and fellow Lisbellaw club person, Ciara Crawford.

She said: “Jimmy has always been a one-man, one-club person, with that club of course being Lisbellaw United FC.

“The affiliation with Lisbellaw began back in 1972 – 50 years ago this year – so it seems fitting that Jimmy be recognised with this award tonight.”

Jimmy was part of a great Lisbellaw team of the late 1970s that went on to lift five Mercer League titles and five Mulhern Cups in an eight-year period.

Indeed, Jimmy also holds the record for the fastest goal ever scored in a Mulhern Cup Final after only 20 seconds in the 1976 Final v Victoria Bridge.

That side also went on to land the club’s one and only Irish Junior Cup in May, 1978.

Jimmy played until 1990 before taking over as manager in 1993, and he guided the team to the 1997 Irish Junior Cup final, where they lost out to Newington YC.

He stepped down after this, but was coaxed back six years later at a time when Lisbellaw had fallen into Division Three.

A memorable victory

The side gained back-to-back promotions as league champions in 2005 and 2006 to return the club to Division One and, having managed to stay up in their first year back in the top flight, they went on to spend the next six years as either league winners or runners-up, winning their first title in 29 years with a memorable victory over Strathroy Harps at Drumad.

That was the first of three titles in a row, and after finishing runner in 2013 McGrath stepped back into the assistant manager’s position, allowing Andy Reilly to take the reins.

Jimmy also served as the Lisbellaw United representative on the Fermanagh and Western Management Committee for more than ten years.

Ciara continued: “Jimmy has a CV that anyone in the footballing world would be proud to emulate.

“As a player – five Mercer League titles, five Mulhern Cups and one Junior Cup.

“As a manager – three Mercer League titles, one Junior Cup Final and multiple Kennedy Cup victories – not a bad 50 years!

“He truly is an ambassador for the local game, and we are blessed to have him as part of our club. A very worthy recipient of this hall of fame induction.”

Also honoured on the night was Dergview FC’s Gary Moreland, who was presened with the Services to Football award.

Gary received his award from Fermanagh and Western Chairman, Neil Jardine.