Go-ahead for Jimmy Murray memorial statue

Plans for a sculpture to commemorate the only Roscommon man to lift the Sam Maguire Cup have been given the go-ahead.

Roscommon County Council has approved plans by the Jimmy Murray Memorial Committee to erect a statue at the Fairgreen in the town.

The project involves a honed limestone memorial statue with new access footpath including all associated site development works.

The project, which was officially launched in 2022, has the backing and support of the Murray family and is designed to remember Jimmy, or Jaimsie as he was known to many, by erecting a suitable monument of him in his native Knockcroghery.

Jamesie, who passed away in 2007, captained the Senior Football Team to All-Ireland Championship success in 1943 and 1944.

Jimmy first wore the Roscommon jersey as a minor in 1934 and played with the county until he retired from inter-county football in 1948. His first All-Ireland title came in 1940 when Roscommon won the All-Ireland Junior Final.

Jimmy later captained Roscommon in five senior All Ireland finals, including the two victories in 1943 and 1944.

Five decades after that achievement he was recognised with the 1993 All-Time All-Star Award as no GAA All-Star Awards were issued at the time of his playing career.

On the club scene, his 25-year club career began in 1933 at age sixteen, playing for Knockcroghery junior team which later formed St Patrick’s. With St Patrick's, Jimmy won two junior county titles and played in ten senior county finals from 1941 to 1951, winning six of them.

He continued playing with St Patrick’s until he retired from football in 1958 aged 41.

In hurling, the committee said Jimmy won a senior county championship with Roscommon Gaels and two junior county medals with St Patrick's. He also played on the county Roscommon hurling team.

Behind the scenes he held the role of secretary in St Patrick's for many years as well as an officer on the Mid-Roscommon Board. Jimmy served on Central Council for twenty-two years and was President of Roscommon County Board for 15 years. He also served his time as a referee and later trained teams within his club and county.

Off the field, his pub in Knockcroghery was a popular stop off point for Gaels countrywide for decades, many coming to see his famous boots hanging up inside, the GAA memorabilia and to chat about all things football.

Also an avid golfer, he was President of Roscommon Golf Club and involved in South Roscommon Singers Circle, which was founded in his hostelry.