We were sad to hear of the passing of former player and lifelong club supporter, James Ball. James was centre-back on the St. Johns team which beat Ennis Rovers in the all-Ennis juvenile hurling final of 1960, after which the two underage clubs amalgamated to become Ennis Rovers. He won minor championships with Ennis Rovers in ’62 and ’63, U21 championships with the same club in ’64 and ’65 and his 3rd U21 with Éire Óg in ’66, following Rovers becoming part of the bigger club earlier that year. He was a sub on the Éire Óg team which won the senior championship in ’66. Gifted with a marvellous singing voice, following his retirement he lit up many a social night at the club with ‘Dear Old Ennis Town’, his brother Christy’s composition ‘My Lovely Rose of Clare’ and many other favourites. We offer our condolences to James’s wife, Maura, his children Alan, Seamus and Loraine, his brothers and sister and extended family and friends. Rest easy James.
The club will form a Guard of Honour following requiem mass which takes place in the Cathedral at 11am on Wednesday. James is pictured above with the 1966 U21 hurling champions team, front row, third player from the right.
The club has also lost two avid supporters with the passing of Bernie Loftus and Noel Normoyle. Bernie, a lifelong supporter of Éire Óg, wife to Stephen and sister of Noel Ryan RIP was immensely proud of her grandchildren’s feats on the pitch. Our deepest sympathies to her husband Stephen, children Bob, Patrice, Mary and Stephen, her brothers, sisters and extended family. Noel, a Kilmihill native, was well known and respected in Éire Óg circles. Having coached several teams in the club including roles as selector on the winning 2012 minor and 2000 senior football teams. Our deepest sympathies to Noel’s wife, Vinnie and children, Jack, Michelle and Ciara.
