Tributes have been paid to a “trailblazer” and “history-maker” in the field of Gaelic Football, following his sudden passing.
Liam Campbell – from Coalisland – was perhaps best known for his role in one of the most historic moments in Tyrone GAA history when, playing within their minor team, the squad lifted their first ever All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title in 1947 against Mayo.
Just two weeks after that victory, Liam progressed to senior inter-county football making his debut for Tyrone against Donegal.
He would then continuously play for the Tyrone senior squad for around a decade.
At club level, Liam played with Coalisland Na Fianna where he joined at the tender age of 14. His prowess on the field was clear even from that young age.
With Coalisland Na Fianna, the renowned Gael also played his part in securing a triumphant win in 1955 at the Tyrone Senior Football Championship.
Paying tribute to a player whose monumental impact can scarcely be described, Coalisland Na Fianna said: “Oileán an Ghuail Na Fianna CLG extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Liam Campbell, a legendary figure at our club and a trailblazer in Tyrone and college football.
“Liam passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in Craigavon Area Hospital on Tuesday night (January 6), surrounded by his loving family.”
Laying out his stellar history in the game, the club continued: “A brilliant footballer, Liam lined out at corner back on the Coalisland team that won the O’Neill Cup in 1955. He also won a Junior Championship medal with the Fianna in 1946. Liam played for the Fianna senior team for more than ten years and was selected to play for Tyrone at senior level.
“In 1947, he was a member of the first Tyrone team to win an All-Ireland title, the Thomas Markham Cup, on a famous day for the county in Croke Park. A match report stated that vital changes at half-time — which included Liam moving from right half-back to centre half-back to allow team captain, the Fianna’s Eddie Devlin, to move to midfield — were a huge contributing factor in the historic victory. Tom Sullivan from Coalisland was also on that team.
“Liam was the last surviving member of the Tyrone minor team of ’47 and the Fianna senior champions of ’55.
“With St Patrick’s College, Armagh, he won three MacRory Cups and was a member of the team that won the first-ever Hogan Cup competition in 1946.
“Liam went on to serve as a club official and as Secretary of the East Tyrone Board.”
Coalisland Fianna explained that just two years ago, on May 7, 2024, Liam was invited as a “special guest” of the Fianna at a 50th anniversary commemoration of the legendary Jim Devlin – with whom he had played at both club and college level – and his wife Gertrude.
That evening, he shared memories of his playing days and was presented with a “memento” in honour of his “great contribution” to Coalisland Na Fianna, Tyrone and college football.
Continued Coalisland Na Fianna: “A hugely popular figure, Liam will be very sadly missed and remembered as a great player and official by all at Coalisland Fianna.
Predeceased by his beloved wife Ethna (Cush), we extend our sincerest condolences to Liam’s sons and daughters, Brian, Paul, Fiona, Roisin and Neil; his grandchildren, great-grandson, and wider family circle.”
Liam’s Requiem Mass will take place on Friday January 9, at 10.00am in Saint Patrick’s Church, Dungannon with burial afterwards in St Malachy’s Cemetery, Edendork.
