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Tyrone Great Liam Campbell Passes Away
Thursday 08.01.2026
Liam Campbell – a Tyrone trailblazer. Rest In Peace.
Tyrone GAA mourns a trailblazer as Liam Campbell the last surviving player of the first team to win the All Ireland minor final, the Thomas Markham Cup, has passed away.
In 1947, ecstatic Tyrone supporters rushed the Croke Park field when the young heroes beat Mayo in a thriller, on a scoreline of 4-4 to 4-3, their names forever etched in our history.
A match report stated that vital changes at half-time, that included Liam Campbell moving from right-half to centre-half back to allow team captain and club-mate, Coalisland Fianna’s Eddie Devlin to go to midfield, was a huge contributing factor in the historic victory. (Tyrone minor pic: Liam is back row 6th from left).
Mr Campbell, who resided in Dungannon, passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly, in Craigavon Area Hospital on Tuesday night (6th January), surrounded by his loving family.
A brilliant footballer he lined out at corner back on the Coalisland team that won the O’Neill Cup in 1955.
He was also won a Junior championship medal with the Fianna in 1946. He played for the Fianna seniors for more than ten years and was selected to play for Tyrone at senior level.
Liam went on to serve as a club official and Secretary of East Tyrone Board.
He was also a trailblazer with St Patrick’s College, Armagh winning the first ever Hogan Cup competition in 1946. He also won three MacRory Cup medals during that era.
Two years ago, on May 7, 2024 he was a special guest of the Fianna at a 50th anniversary commemoration to the legendary Tyrone, Coalisland and college player Jim Devlin and his wife Gertrude. Liam played alongside Jim for club and college.
That night he shared memories of his playing days and was presented with a memento to honour his great contribution to Coalisland Fianna, Tyrone and college football.
A hugely popular figure Liam will be very sadly missed and remembered as a great player and official by all at Coalisland Fianna and across Tyrone.
Pre-deceased 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 wide family circle.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.
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