Alley club mourns
Late Jordan won four Senior medals
BUFFERS ALLEY GAA club have paid tribute to one of their stalwarts of the 1960s and 1970s who passed away on Wednesday.
Michael Jordan from Ballyorley, Boolavogue, gave distinguished service in the green and gold from 1965 to 1978, winning a host of county titles in the process.
A staunch defender who rarely gave his opponent an inch, his sparkling career began on a high note when he featured at right half-back on the Alley team that defeated Liam Mellows (Coolgreany) in the Intermediate championship final of 1965.
Michael played in his first Senior final two years later which ended in a loss to Rathnure, but he was a member of the squad in 1968 when the club made the big breakthrough with a narrow win over Faythe Harriers.
He featured on the title-winning team of 1970 against Shamrocks, and was on the losing side three years later when Rathnure once again prevailed.
Michael added two more Senior medals as a vital member of the 1975 and 1976 sides that saw off Oulart-The Ballagh and Rapparees respectively in the county finals.
His last involvement on the big stage arrived in 1977 when Rathnure, very much the bogey team in his career, beat the Alley for a third time.
As well as his hurling prowess, Michael was a determined club footballer and helped Buffers Alley to Junior and Intermediate county honours from his corner-back slot in 1972 and 1974 respectively.
‘Stories of his heroics in the green and gold of Buffers Alley abound,’ the club noted in a tribute posted on social media.
‘Many of his displays in the half back and full back line were close to perfect as he tamed and mastered some of the best forwards in the county.
‘He was blessed with a great hurling brain and was renowned for clever defending, a commanding style of play and an abundance of courage on the hurling field.
‘The players who spent an hour in his company on match day all remember how tactically astute he was and how his sweeping clearances repelled attack after attack.
‘He brought “close marking” to a new level to limit the scoring opportunities of any forward who entered his sphere of dominance on the hurling field.
‘Since his playing days ended, Michael was a loyal supporter and good friend of Buffers Alley GAA club in all its endeavours over the years.
‘We extend our sincere sympathy to the Jordan family on their loss in these difficult times.
‘We can’t give one of our great soldiers the Buffers Alley send-off that he deserves, but we remember Michael, in our thoughts and prayers. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.’
The late Michael was pre-deceased by his wife, Margaret, and is survived by his children Edel, Yvonne, Mary-Therese, Michael and Margaret.