Michael Bailey did much to boost refereeing standards in the region

DROGHEDA lost one of its foremost sporting personalities with the sudden death last Thursday of Mr. Michael Bailey, president of the Irish Soccer Referees Society.

It was ironic that his unexpected passing should have occured on a sporting mission—a golfing trip with two Drogheda friends Mr. Paul Kirwan and Mr. Paul Egan to Warrenpoint, Co. Down.

At the 13th hole Mr. Bailey took ill and died before being removed to the Daisy Hill Hospital at nearby Newry, having been attended to by a priest who was playing on the course.

At the comparative early age of 48, his death under such unexpected circumstances came as a severe shock to his wife Mona (nee Delaney), his son Declan, and daughter Sandra, and to his mother, four brothers and a host of relatives and friends sport and motor sales circles.

Eldest son of the late Mr. Hugh Bailey and Mrs. Bailey of Trinity Gardens, Michael was proprietor of the Cherrymount Service Station for the past two years, having been employed as sales manager in Lawson’s garage. North Road. He started in Reilly’s of the North Quay on leaving school.

A keen sports lover, he was an outstanding table tennis player during a period when this popular indoor pastime flourished in the town in the days of the Eagle Club in Narrow West Street, and the Drogheda Rowing Club

Soccer was another favourite game and while he may not have hit the headlines as a player, he certainly made his mark as a referee and has left an indelible mark as far as this important facet of ths game is concerned.

Michael played a leading role in the formation of the Drogheda branch of the Irish Soccer Referees’ Society, and his work and dedication on behalf, of his colleagues enabled him to reach the top — being president of the Society for the past six or seven years.

Locally he has had the satisfaction of seeing four members of the Drogheda branch—Cyril Morley (now residing in his native Cork), Jim McKenna, Adrian Oughton and Erol Sweeney attaining the League of Ireland panel in recent years. The branch has gone from strength to strength with members assigned to the various leagues in the Dublin and local area.

His brothers were also involved in sport, Aidan was a very competent amateur boxer and is still actively associated with Drogheda Amateur Boxing club as an official. Noel, who played for Drogheda United as a youth and junior is a most active member of the club. His other brothers, Patsy and Dessie are also keen sportsmen.