Jimwasan outstanding footballer
JAMES (Jim) Coburn, Legion Avenue, Dundalk, who died peacefully in his 92nd year in Carlingford Nursing Home on 13 November, was a noted Gaelic footballer, who enjoyed success with Clan Na Gael and Louth.
He was born on 22 December, 1924; and grew up in Emer Terrace, Castletown Road, with his brothers, Patsy, Michael, George, Gerard and Sean; and his sisters, Breige and Marie.
He attended the De La Salle Brothers school in Philip Street.
Jim started work at 13 years of age, helping his father on his milk round, before joining the great northern railway (GNR) in the late ‘ 40’s.
He was the ‘fireman’ on the last steam locomotive to stop at Greenore station, and later a train driver, servicing routes such as Dublin, Navan and Bundoran.
The latter involved an overnight stay which afforded Jim the opportunity to indulge a great passion of his, swimming.
Due to a period of ill health, Jim really appreciated and always paid tribute to his fellow workmates at Coras Iompair Eireann (CIE), whose patience and flexibility were instrumental in his successful return to duties.
He retired from CIE in 1994, and for a man tied to a strict timetable all his professional life, never wore a watch again.
One of Clan Na Gael’s outstanding footballers during the late 1940’s and 50’s, Jim won a junior championship medal in 1954, and three Macardle Cup medals in 1947, 1953 (as captain) and 1954.
A prominent member of the Louth team during his playing days, he was one of the prolific marksmen at Junior level and carried his experience through to senior football.
A selector on the club’s 1959 senior championship-winning team, Jim was also an active member of the Clans’ building programme and management committee, being elected to the post of Honorary President in 2001.
Fittingly, he passed away on a great day for the club as it opened its latest development project which includes a second pitch.
Jim married Agnes Murphy from Legion Avenue in the summer of 1954. They spent 62 happy years of married life together, raising their two children Una and James (Jnr) and in latter years delighted in visits from their grandchildren, Aimee and Ben.
A lifelong pioneer, Jim was a familiar figure in Dundalk enjoying his daily constitutional, greeting all with a cheery ‘Well, Brother’, while going about his chores.
Jim loved to spend hours in the garden in Legion Avenue tending to the lawn, flowers and shrubs.
In the final two years of his life, as his general health, especially his eyesight failed, the caregivers at Carlingford Nursing Home spent a significant amount of time taking care of Jim.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes; daughter, Úna, and son, James Jnr.; grandchildren, Aimee, and Ben; son-in-law, Brendan McFadden and daughter-in-law Elaine, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Reposing in McGeough’s Funeral Home, Jocelyn St., his remains were removed, via Legion Avenue to St. Nicholas’ Church for funeral Mass. Burial took place afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery.