Colm McKinstry RIP
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
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Active Member
So sorry to hear about the death of Colm, a real gentleman, a great player for both club and county,may he rest in peace.
PatMustard
Well-Known Member
Sad to hear that. RIP Colm.
RIP Clan na Gael and Armagh legend Colm McKinstry. I just caught the tail end of his career but he was one of the fine old style midfielders who marauded round the park. Armagh had a number of them in the late 70’s early 80’s and he was up on top of the pile. A true gent of a man.
Rufus T Firefly
Well-Known Member
So desperately sorry to hear this news. Colm was one of the all time greats, not just for Clan na Gael but for Armagh. His name is synonymous with that great Summer way back in 1977 when Armagh came out of the wilderness to become a football force on the national stage after a generation away. Armagh football has always been a force to one extent or another since then and we have Colm and his teammates to thank for that.
When I think of Colm, I think of that great Armagh team of 1980 - I'd wager a better team than in 1977 - who came so close to beating Roscommon in the All Ireland semi-final. Colm had the game of his life at midfield that day, ruling the roost and enabling a plentiful supply of ball to go into Brian Hughes at full forward, with Brian also having the proverbial stormer. To add to the whole sense of occasion, Armagh really looked the part that day, playing in the full white kit with the orange trim and the round crest. When Colm had to go off injured, Brian Hughes was moved out to the middle and the wheels totally came off, and we ended up beaten by six. That Roscommon team then fell narrowly to Kerry in the All Ireland Final and there was a sense that maybe Armagh's greatest ever opportunity had been let slip. Colm would go on to win a richly deserved All Star that year.
I recall our first trip in the National League to Cork on 1 February 1981. Colm was still playing wonderful football and although we were beaten that day, I recall an elderly Cork supporter asking who our midfielder was and telling him that was Colm McKinstry, an All Star!
At Club level, when I was younger, the name Clan na Gael struck fear into all - they were a name that you wanted to avoid when it came to Championship. They won thee Ulster Club titles in a row and were beaten by the Galacticos of UCD in an All Ireland Final replay (I think). Colm must have had close to ten McKillop Cup medals and I have fond memories of watching that great Clans side playing County Finals in the Athletic Grounds against Rangers and Carrickcruppen.
However, beyond that Colm was an absolute gentleman, and I was talking to him as recently as last Thursday up at the shop when - as always - he took the time to ask after my Mum following a recent illness. That was the type of the man Colm was. His passing will leave a huge void in so many different ways.
My deepest sympathies to the McKinstry and McGleenon Families and to all at Clan na Gael.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
When I think of Colm, I think of that great Armagh team of 1980 - I'd wager a better team than in 1977 - who came so close to beating Roscommon in the All Ireland semi-final. Colm had the game of his life at midfield that day, ruling the roost and enabling a plentiful supply of ball to go into Brian Hughes at full forward, with Brian also having the proverbial stormer. To add to the whole sense of occasion, Armagh really looked the part that day, playing in the full white kit with the orange trim and the round crest. When Colm had to go off injured, Brian Hughes was moved out to the middle and the wheels totally came off, and we ended up beaten by six. That Roscommon team then fell narrowly to Kerry in the All Ireland Final and there was a sense that maybe Armagh's greatest ever opportunity had been let slip. Colm would go on to win a richly deserved All Star that year.
I recall our first trip in the National League to Cork on 1 February 1981. Colm was still playing wonderful football and although we were beaten that day, I recall an elderly Cork supporter asking who our midfielder was and telling him that was Colm McKinstry, an All Star!
At Club level, when I was younger, the name Clan na Gael struck fear into all - they were a name that you wanted to avoid when it came to Championship. They won thee Ulster Club titles in a row and were beaten by the Galacticos of UCD in an All Ireland Final replay (I think). Colm must have had close to ten McKillop Cup medals and I have fond memories of watching that great Clans side playing County Finals in the Athletic Grounds against Rangers and Carrickcruppen.
However, beyond that Colm was an absolute gentleman, and I was talking to him as recently as last Thursday up at the shop when - as always - he took the time to ask after my Mum following a recent illness. That was the type of the man Colm was. His passing will leave a huge void in so many different ways.
My deepest sympathies to the McKinstry and McGleenon Families and to all at Clan na Gael.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Mountain Man
New Member
An outstanding fielder and a great servant to Armagh football. RIP
Folks there were two threads on the same subject, so I've brought them both together here under the one. Hope no-one minds as it was done under advice from another member!
On a separate note:
RIP Colm. A real influence on me and my following of the sport and games we love so much. A true gentleman I can say I knew so well and I can honestly say I'm heartbroken to hear the news. He will leave a massive hole in my life so I find it incomprehensible how his family and friends will be feeling.
Sleep easy and rest in peace. Your work is done.
On a separate note:
RIP Colm. A real influence on me and my following of the sport and games we love so much. A true gentleman I can say I knew so well and I can honestly say I'm heartbroken to hear the news. He will leave a massive hole in my life so I find it incomprehensible how his family and friends will be feeling.
Sleep easy and rest in peace. Your work is done.
Very sad to hear this news. Colm was ingrained in my childhood following Armagh from the late 70s. He was one of the revered names of that time, along with Jimmy Smyth, Joe Kernan and Paddy Mo. My most vivid memories of him were from 1980-82. With him in midfield you always felt secure. As has been said countless times over the years, his going off at half time in the 1980 semi turned the game on its head. It's not often that one such injury could have such an impact - we went from 6 up and coasting at half time to losing by 6. My young brain couldn't compute what was actually happening - how things could change so quickly and dramatically in one game. A chastening experience. So Colm had a huge presence in that team.
RIP Colm
RIP Colm
Yes, really sad news. He was a really likeable person, admired by all, colleague or opponent. The mistake in the semi was not to make a straight swop, Jim Loughran was on the line. Brian Hughes was destroying the full back. He did ok in midfield but it lifted the pressure on the Roscommon defence; a self inflicted wound.
Ard Mhacha 13
Well-Known Member
I got to know Colm a little bit recently as he sat beside me regularly at our matches in the Athletic Grounds, he was obviously a glutton for punishment 
We would have chatted away at the matches & I was offered sweets more times than I can count It got to the stage when if it was pushing close to throw in & he was making his way into the row I'd say "you're late", his reply was normally about having to get his dinner finished.
Needless to say I didn't know him well & I never saw him play live but I was saddened to read this news today. RIP Colm.
We would have chatted away at the matches & I was offered sweets more times than I can count It got to the stage when if it was pushing close to throw in & he was making his way into the row I'd say "you're late", his reply was normally about having to get his dinner finished. Needless to say I didn't know him well & I never saw him play live but I was saddened to read this news today. RIP Colm.
portadownarmaghfan
Well-Known Member
Very like Pablos post. Colm was one of the heroes of my youth and definitely one of the reasons for my life long addiction to gaelic football. What a spectacular presence he was in midfield.
What a sad loss to the entire gaa community.
What a sad loss to the entire gaa community.
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
I didn’t know the man and he played well before my time, but what a lovely tribute. May he rest in peace.
pablo
Well-Known Member
I called my Dad yesterday morning to tell him about Colm's passing and inevitably during our conversation, that Roscommon game came up. Many of us of that generation felt that was our big chance. Colm was the engine room for a very fine Armagh team that really had a shot at glory that year.
The thing that made me fall in love with football and the GAA scene was that our heroes were local, part of our community, they were us. In 1978, Eire Og won the North Armagh U14 league. I know that sounds minuscule, but it actually was the first time our club won anything and we were proud as hell. My dad and a mate of his ran the team and organized the medal night at Tullgally Community center. We didn't know in advance, but as a surprise for us they arranged for Colm and Jimmy Smyth to come along and present the medals. To this day as a middle aged man, it is one of the very best memories I have. I was awestruck. Both were icons to me, especially so Colm as I played midfield and wanted to be like him. I remember him speaking to me about midfield and how important a position it was. Kevin Keegan or anyone from Match of the Day showing up would have insignificant to me compared to McKinstry and Smyth.
And I agree about the Armagh kit that day. The white with orange trimmings was brilliant
winsamsoon
Well-Known Member
First class