Statement of sympathy on the death of Jimmy McIlroy

August 21, 2018

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is deeply saddened to hear of the death of one of its local sporting legends Jimmy McIlroy.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor, Councillor Uel Mackin expressed his sympathy on the death of Jimmy McIlroy at the age of 86.

He said: “We are extremely saddened to hear the news that Jimmy McIlroy has passed away.  Jimmy was born in Lambeg and had an outstanding football career playing for Glentoran, Burnley, Stoke, Oldham Athletic and Northern Ireland over the years. He was known affectionately as the ‘prince of inside forwards’ and is listed among the Twentieth Century`s top 100 footballers of the world. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jimmy’s family and friends at this very difficult time.  We send our deepest sympathies to the McIlroy family as they come to terms with the loss of their loved one.”

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, added: “Jimmy was nominated as one of the Council’s local ‘Legends of Sport’ at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex in 2000 when the building opened; and the Council is very proud of all this local man achieved in his lifetime.  In 2005, the Council officially opened McIlroy Park at Ballyskeagh in honour of Jimmy and his contribution to football. It was proud to have Jimmy and his family attend the opening of this riverside park.

“The former Lisburn City Council was delighted to congratulate Jimmy on being awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Burnley by Burnley Council in 2008.  Then in 2011, Jimmy was awarded an MBE for his services to football and charity.  The local community is very proud of Jimmy’s achievements including being capped 55 times for Northern Ireland, scoring 10 international goals between 1951 and 1962.”

Jimmy McIlroy was part of the Northern Ireland World Cup squad in Sweden in 1958 that famously reached the Quarter Final stage of the competition.