Following the passing of former RGU Downpatrick player Richard Starkey, who was part of Down’s All-Ireland winning squad in 1994, tributes have been made that recall his excellence on and off the field.
The Downpatrick man passed away on Saturday after a long illness, and left his club and county in mourning.
In a statement, Richard’s club recognised the efforts that he made to help the club win three senior championships in the 1990s as well as an Intermediate championship 20 years ago.
They said: “He showed the same commitment and attention to detail as he did in his professional life as a well-respected psychiatric nurse.”
The Down GAA County Board in their statement recognised his battles with some of the best forwards in Ireland as a defender on the county panel in the 1990s.
They said, “We offer our condolences on the passing of a man who gave great service to his club and his county, a man that we were proud to say was one of our own.”
In the Mourne Observer records, we have found the report from the 2005 Down Intermediate Championship final during which Richard won man of the match award.
He was interviewed following the game and he said, “I knew that if we could keep our discipline at the back we would win.”
Read the full story in Wednesday’s Mourne Observer.
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