Orla's Story

Roscommon all Ireland Captain
Jamesie Murray captained the Roscommon Team that won the All Ireland in 1943 and 1944. He captained Roscommon Senior Footballers on five occasions in Croke Park. That happened twice in 1943 when Roscommon beat Cavan.They drew the first game and won the replay. Once in 1944 when they beat Kerry and twice in 1946 against Kerry. Roscommon drew with Kerry on the first day but we lost the replay in 1946. As well as two All Ireland Football medals Jamesie won one Junior All Ireland football medal in 1940, 4 Connaught Senior Football medals in 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947, two Connaught junior Football medals in 1943 and 1940, an oireachlas football medal in 1943 and many railway cap medals. Jamesie also played hurling first with Roscommon town and then with St Patricks. He visited our school and brought all his medals. He told us all about his life in Knockcroghery in the 1920s and during world war two. He told us that one of the Roscommon supporters missed the train in Knockcroghery on the morning of the All Ireland Final in 1946.His name was Jim Brennan. He was on the Roscommon panel in the All Ireland Final the year before. He started cycling from Knockcroghery. He cycled all during the night and arrived in the the hotel room in time for the breakfast next morning.