James (Jimmy) Philbin, Liskillen, Ballinrobe, who has passed away peacefully at his residence, was a former Ballinrobe footballer who starred on the club team that won the 1958 Mayo Junior Football Championship title. That win was the club’s second ever county junior title and Jimmy was a tight-marking defender who handled some of the top forwards in Mayo during that period.
In previous years, he played as a half-forward and featured on the team that won the 1956 O’Mara Cup. He added further O’Mara Cup titles to his collection in 1958 and 1963.
Jimmy had a lengthy career in the Ballinrobe colours and his sons Seamus and Adrian, as well as his grandchildren, all followed in his footsteps.
Quietly spoken by nature, he was intensely popular in the locality and his passing has evoked sincere regret. He worked in the Agricultural Research Centre, Creagh, Ballinrobe, for many years, while also maintaining the family farm.
Predeceased by his parents Brian and Bridget (O’Keeffe), brother-in-law Jimmy, and sister-in-law Eileen, he is deeply regretted by his loving family wife Josie, sons Adrian and Seamus, daughter Lorraine, grandchildren Leonie, Ross, Ciaran, Ella, Dara, Oisín, Brian and Lily, daughter-in-law Linda, Frances, son-in-law Tom, sisters-in-law Perry, Bernadette, Maureen, Kitty, extended family, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His remains will repose at Saint Joseph’s Funeral Home, Ballinrobe, F31H289, on Sunday evening, 2 April, from 6pm with private removal at 7.30pm to his home. The funeral cortege will arrive at St. Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, on Monday, 3 April, for Requiem Mass at 12 noon with the funeral proceeding to the Old Cemetery, Ballinrobe.
The club extends its deepest sympathy to Jimmy’s family at this sad time.
- John Sweeney, Chairman, Ballinrobe GAA Club.
Jimmy Philbin (third from right, front row) pictured at a 1998 reunion celebration for the Ballinrobe team which won the 1958 Mayo Junior Football Championship.