Football

Tributes are paid to former Armagh county board chairman Joe Jordan

Former Armagh county board chairman Joe Jordan (right) helped lighten the mood during some intense moments in 2002
Former Armagh county board chairman Joe Jordan (right) helped lighten the mood during some intense moments in 2002 Former Armagh county board chairman Joe Jordan (right) helped lighten the mood during some intense moments in 2002

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Armagh county board chairman Joe Jordan, with Allstar forward Steven McDonnell describing the key behind the scenes role he played as the Orchard men lifted Sam Maguire in 2002.

The Middletown man, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 71, will be fondly remembered within his club and county after giving decades of dedicated service. And the men who landed Armagh’s only All-Ireland title to date also have particularly special memories of Joe Jordan, who served as county chairman from 2001-2006 – a golden period in terms of the county’s footballing fortunes.

Whether they were headed to Clones to go toe-to-toe with old foes Tyrone or Croke Park to take on the Dubs or Kerry, Joe Kernan and his panel could always rely on their county chairman to lighten the mood according to McDonnell.

“While we were a very serious team, dedicated to doing our job on the football pitch, Joe was great for light-hearted conversations and kept the craic going among the team,” recalled the Killeavy man.

“He always had a great memory, and there were many great stories told on those journeys on the bus - fantastic tales. Any time Joe started off on one of his stories, everyone was listening in. There was always a bit of a laugh too. I know the McNulty brothers would have had good slagging with him and he was well able to take it, and he could hand it out as well.

“Joe was a great source of knowledge, the focal point of many conversations on the team bus. When you were travelling to some of those high intensity matches, Joe would help lighten the mood. He’ll certainly be fondly remembered by gaels across the county, but also by that particular Armagh team.”

Current county chairman Paul McArdle was a personal friend and Middletown club-mate, and talked of his pride at being involved the year Armagh finally got their hands on Sam. Despite those glory days, however, Joe Jordan was “first and foremost” a committed clubman.

“Joe was a fantastic volunteer at Middletown, he had a lot of respect for that. He was a very proud Middletown and Armagh man,” said McArdle.

“He served many years at county level, initially as mid board chairman then the football league board, and ultimately became county chairman in 2001. That convention was actually held in Middletown, which I know was very important to him as well.

“Leading into 2002, he was immensely proud to be county chair when we won our All-Ireland. He felt blessed to be a part of that. Everybody who met Joe found him a very friendly guy. He had time for everybody - he was always interested in people’s story, he always made time to chat. Joe loved visiting the clubs for different functions and travelled all over Ireland. He enjoyed the camaraderie in the association, and took time to enjoy it.”

Joe Jordan’s funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday morning at St John’s Church, Middletown, with burial afterwards in Tynan.