FAI lead Morley tributes
Morley will be laid to rest tomorrow at 12noon in Cork.
The Waterford team who beat Cork Hibernians in the League of Ireland play-off at Flower Lodge in 1972. Jackie Morley is on the extreme right, back row. Ref. 139/90
In 1999, in recognition of his immense contribution to soccer, Jack was inducted into the Cork Soccer Hall of Fame.
THE FAI will pay a special tribute to Cork soccer legend Jackie Morley, who passed away on Monday, at their next home international against Serbia in March.
Leading sports figures and supporters, particularly in Cork and Waterford, were of like mind yesterday in describing Morley as fine footballer and a finer gentleman. He was 79.
FAI chief executive John Delaney led the tributes from across the sporting spectrum yesterday: “I was very saddened to hear Jackie Morley had passed away and I extend my sincere condolences to his wife and children. He was a great footballer and a close family friend. We will pay a special tribute to mark his contribution to Irish football at our next international match against Serbia in March.”
Added FAI President Paddy McCaul; “Jackie made a great contribution to Irish football during his career with Cork Hibernians and Waterford.”
In his teens, Jackie, originally from Evergreen Street, played soccer with Ballyphehane Utd and GAA with Redmonds. Having grown up in an area that produced Irish internationals Peter Desmond, Tommy Moroney and Owen Madden, Jackie, not surprisingly, preferred soccer and signed for Evergreen in 1954.
Within 12 months he was transferred to West Ham Utd and spent three seasons at Upton Park.
League of Ireland newcomers, Cork Hibs, won the race for his signature when snapping him up on his return home in 1958. Under his captaincy Hibs soon became a major force and the Mardyke venue became a fortress dreaded by visiting teams. He had the honour of representing the League of Ireland on six occasions, including prestigious crowd-pulling matches against the English and Scottish Leagues.
Jackie led Hibs to two FAI Cup finals, in 1960 and 1963, when they were defeated by a star-studded Shelbourne side. In 1964, international stars Johnny Haynes, Bert Trautman, Pat Crerand, Noel Cantwell, Maurice Setters and John Bond paid him the ultimate tribute when travelling to Cork for a benefit match in his honour.
A crowd in excess of 25,000 packed Flower Lodge for that testimonial.
He transferred to Waterford in 1967 and within the space of five seasons had collected four League Championship medals with the Blues’ glory era. And, who could possibly forget the last title in 1972 when he helped Waterford come from two goals down at a packed Flower Lodge to beat champions Cork Hibs 3-2.
The only accolade missing from his trophy cabinet was an FAI Cup winners medal. The following Sunday, he had a great opportunity to complete his collection but Hibs, thanks to a Miah Dennehy hat-trick, ended that dream.
Four years earlier, in 1968, Shamrock Rovers ended Waterford’s and Jackie’s double hopes with another crushing 3-0 Cup final defeat. With the Blues Jackie got to play in the European Cup (Champions League) against Man Utd and Galatasaray.
After his retirement from League football Jackie played with Examiner Utd in the AUL and was joint manager of the AUL Youth Inter League side which reached the final of the National Inter League. A year later in 1973-74 he was appointed player manager of Rockmount and was chosen on the Cork AUL Oscar Traynor team.
In 1979 he declined an offer to return to the League of Ireland as manager of Cork Utd, preferring instead to continue coaching in youth football. In the early nineties he was one of the leading personalities linked with the proposed formation of a new League of Ireland team.
In 1999, in recognition of his immense contribution to soccer, Jack was inducted into the Cork Soccer Hall of Fame.
His wife, Joan, is a former Cork and Munster camogie player while children Pat, Dave and Sheenagh have all represented Cork in various sports.
Sheenagh followed in her mother’s footsteps while Pat, an Inter League player like his dad, ended his career as second highest goal scorer (182 goals) in the history of Irish soccer.
Jackie’s removal will take place this evening at 7.30pm to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Dennehy’s Cross. Requiem Mass will take place tomorrow at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to St Oliver’s Cemetery.
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