THE BELOVED Irish-born Aussie Rules legend Jim Stynes passed away a year ago today after a long, public battle with cancer. The Dubliner’s death saw a huge outpouring of emotion on both sides of the globe.
Stynes was a Bronlow Medal winner with Melbourne, having moved Down Under from Ireland to play footie
INPHO/Getty Images
After his Aussie Rules career he founded the Reach Foundation which aimed to help young people in Oz:
YouYube: TheReachFoundation
He returned to the ailing Demons as club president to help restore the club to its former glory:
But ultimately had to take a step back when he became ill:
After his death on 20 March last year, the Aussie Rules community remembered the Dubliner with this film at the annual Brownlow Medal ceremony.
YouTube Credit: MelbourneDemonsFooty
Stynes’ former teammate Garry Lyon delivered a heartfelt tribute to his friend.
“Quite simply Jimmy refused to let the game define who he was,” the Aussie Rules great said on The Footy Show. “It was just a part of him and it allowed us to marvel at his determination, unwavering self-belief, resilience, strength, skill, endurance and courage. But he never let the game compromise what else he had going on in his life.”
Back home, those at Croke Park for the Dublin v Donegal game showed their appreciation:
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
And Stynes’ wife, Samantha, paid this moving tribute in Melbourne:
YouTube: 7NEWS
