Jimmy Gray: Under the Bluest Sky

JIMMY GRAY IS THE GODFATHER OF DUBLIN GAA. He is also sitting President of Dublin GAA County Board, after giving a lifetime to football and hurling in the county. He represented the county in both codes through the 1950s and 60s – and was goalkeeper on the last Dublin team to contest an All-Ireland hurling final, when The Dubs lost to Tipperary in 1961. He was chairman of the Dublin County Board through the 70s, and was the inspiration for the revival of football in the county when he appointed Kevin Heffernan manager in 1973, thereby giving life to Heffo’s Army and the team which transformed GAA in Ireland, winning three All-Ireland titles in four years! A founder of Na Fianna GAA club, Gray was also chairman of the Leinster Council.