|
Charlie Murray
Charlie was born on the 19 October 1925 in Chatam St, Ardoyne, Belfast. Shortly after the family moved to Amcomri St (which was built by the American
congress for the relief in Ireland) and he went to school in St Comgalls on the Falls road. When he turned 14 he went to J.B Kennedy's Bakery to
become a Baker, a trade he would become top of his class in. Charlie played Gaelic football for Eire Og but was banned for life when he was caught
playing the foreign sport (soccer) for Belfast Celtic.
Charlie met the love of his life Kathleen when he was 24, Kathleen was only
17. They married not long after on the 19th August and went on to have 6 girls, sadly Majella passed away when she was just 13 days old, she was
part of a Triplet which included Charlie's 2 boys Charlie jnr and Larry.
Growing up in Belfast his love for Celtic started from an early age, he even grew up on the same street as Belfast Celtic and Glasgow Celtic Legend
Charlie Tully and
when Charlie moved to Shannon in late 72, his passion for Celtic never faltered.
He set about finding like minded people to share his passion with, and it was in
the family living room that the 1st unofficial gathering of a supporters club in Munster took place. After a year of gathering in the
family living room for Celtic matches Charlie decided that the club needed an official name to tie in with supporters clubs worldwide
and Charlie put forward the name 'The Charlie Tully CSC' in memory of the Celtic Legend.
Charlie was a regular visitor to Glasgow to watch his beloved hoops and decided that the rest of the now vast club should make the trip to see the famous Bhoys on the hallowed turf of Paradise, the trip was well remembered by all who went on it as the bus that was carrying the crew lost a wheel en route home. Many more trips followed with less traumatic experiences for the members. The bus would set off from the Shannon Knights at midnight arriving in Glasgow some 12 hours later.
Charlie then set about having functions for charity and pulled some amazing strokes
in getting players to attend, probably the most famous and well liked visit was of one Packie Bonner, Celtic and Irelands talismanic goalkeeper.
Later life Charlie developed cancer, and as a mark of respect the local supporters clubs got together and raised the funds so that Charlie could make one last trip to see his beloved Celtic.
Sadly Charlie left us in April 2003, with his funeral being one of the biggest and most
moving Shannon was to see. In the church 'The Green Glens of Antrim' and 'Johnny Thompson' songs brought a tear to everyone's eyes.
The procession to the graveyard was a moving sight with Charlie's 32 grandchildren flanked the coffin.
A Few months later 'The Friends of Charlie Murray' got together and organised a charity function in the Oakwood Arms in Shannon and over 4000 euro was raised for
Milford Hospice, which had taken such great care of Charlie in his final days.
God Bless You Charlie.
Hail Hail
|
