FORMER Derry GAA player Joe Gormley has died at the age of 79.
Mr Gormley, the father of former 1993 All-Ireland winner Enda Gormley, died in Antrim Area Hospital yesterday morning following an illness.
A well-known GAA player, he was just 17 when his Desertmartin side won the 1953 Derry Senior Football Championship - the only time Desertmartin have ever won the title.
Mr Gormley, who was born in Desertmartin, was also a member of the Derry side in the early sixties.
A father of four sons, he opened one of the first lounge bars in south Derry - The Hideout - in the 1960s.
A grandfather and great-grandfather, he also owned a successful funeral director business in Maghera.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am tomorrow at St Patrick's Church, Glen, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Mr Gormley is survived by his wife Bridie, sons Barney, Donal, Mickey and Enda, and wider family circle.
