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.”

Watch the piece here…

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

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