Legendary Dundalk FC manager Jim McLaughlin was described as a ‘humble man, who made the lives of many brighter’ at his funeral mass in Haggardstown.
The Derryman, who passed away at the age of 83 on Thursday, August 15th, led Dundalk to three league titles, three FAI Cups, two League Cups, two Leinster Senior Cups and three LFA President’s Cups during his nine-year tenure in charge at Oriel Park from 1974 and 1983.
Under McLaughlin’s guidance, Dundalk became a recognised name in European circles and in nine European ties at Oriel Park, against some of the continent’s leading clubs like FC Porto, Glasgow Celtic, PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham Hotspur, the Lilywhites were only beaten once, against Liverpool in 1982.
Current Dundalk FC manager Jon Daly and his first-team squad formed a guard of honour as the hearse bringing Jim’s remains arrived at St Fursey’s Church for the requiem mass while members of McLaughlin’s all-conquering teams from the late seventies and early eighties such as Dermot Keely, Mick Fairclough, Richie Blackmore, Mick Lawlor and Willie Crawley were on hand to pay their respects.
Some of Jim’s former players from Shamrock Rovers, Derry City, Shelbourne and Drogheda United, including Liam Coyle, Felix Healy, Paul Carlyle, Noel King, Harry Kenny, Paul Curran, Paul Doolin and Mick Neville were also there to bid farewell to a man recognised by many as the greatest League of Ireland manager of all time.
Five symbols reflecting Jim’s life were brought to the altar by his family members. These included a family photograph, a football, one of his Northern Ireland international caps, a book about his native Derry and a presentation from the Birches Alzheimer’s Centre, who offered great support to Jim in his latter years.
In his homily, Fr Pádraig Keenan, the parish priest of Blackrock and Haggardstown, paid tribute to McLaughlin, described by Irish football journalist Philip Quinn as ‘the quiet man whose teams roared.’
“I want to know, when day is done, that life has been worth living. That I have brought somebody joy, someone’s life is brighter. Those words go some way to reflecting Jim’s life in so many ways,” said Fr Keenan.
“All of those who connected with him can truly say that his life has been worth living. In the challenging times of the seventies and eighties, he brought joy to many lives and made the lives of many brighter. Although maybe the opposition was not too pleased at times!
“For those of us who knew Jim, he was not one to claim the spotlight. He was a very humble man in his own way. As his wife Reina said to me, he was always in good form and wanted others to be happy. But I added a little anecdote…I know for a fact, he was never happy when he lost a match!
“As one of those who followed Dundalk in the seventies and the eighties, and as one who got to know him in the last 14 years in this parish and community, there was always a presence about him. A good presence.
Jim McLaughlin lifts the FAI Cup after Dundalk’s victory over Sligo Rovers in the 1981 final. Picture: Sportsfile
“He had three very simple mottos in life. The first was: To treat others the way you would like to be treated, take people for what they are and, finally, do your best.
“Thus, it is not surprising that no matter where he was, wherever he played or managed, he had a wonderful rapport with people. He was a player’s manager. A player’s leader. A player’s person. A people person.
“The foundation for that came from his roots and his family in Derry. He was the youngest and explored his talents beyond the walls of Derry. Across the water, challenging it was at various times, from home sickness to injuries. But above all, he succeeded.
“That success was captured in the wisdom of those who invited him to Dundalk as player-manager in 1974. A town, a county that became home to himself, Reina and his family since. From Dundalk to various other clubs, wherever they are on this island, It is suffice to say, the rest is history.
“A wise manager in the congregation had a little laugh to himself when he saw me carrying in the football for the presentation of the gifts at the beginning. He said: ‘Where are all the cups?’ With that we agreed, Jim would not wish for any fuss.
“Jim brought glory and success, wherever he was. He was the face of the League of Ireland. Some have described him as a legend, and rightly so, and no doubt when the annals of history finally come to be written, Jim will have a major contribution.
“Sport, however, didn’t define the individual. Not alone was he successful from a sporting perspective, but also from a working perspective and, more importantly, as a husband, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a relative and a friend. In the memories of family life, he was a family man.
“On many a cold, windy day at Oriel Park in the seventies and eighties, the final whistle would blow and you would give a round of applause, no matter what result it was. Under Jim, 99 percent of the time it was the right result.
“Today, Jim McLaughlin has captured the perfect result. All in heaven. I think we should give him a round of applause.”
Jim will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife Reina, his sons Paul, Sean and Martin, his daughter Jane, his sister Bridie Gallagher, sons and daughters-in-law, his adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives, wonderful friends and by all who knew and loved him.
