Jim Nangle, who died recently just short of his 90th birthday, played football for Summerhill from juvenile up until 1972. As a member of the 1953 Junior winning team, he lined out at wing half-forward versus Drumbaragh, playing directly opposite future County Chairman, Fintan Ginnity. He was selected along with team mates Tommy (Coglar) Fagan and John Fagan on the 1954 Meath junior team.

Members of the 1953 Summerhill team included Joe Elliott, the grandfather of present club sponsor, Gordon Elliott, and John Mallick, a nephew of the great Bill Shaw. He was corner-forward on the Junior A winning team of 1966, alongside his brother Vincent, on a team captained by a young Mattie Kerrigan, and he continued to play the game he loved until he hung up his boots in 1972.

Jim also served the club as secretary in 1961 and towards the end of his playing days he was elected Chairman. He served in that role from 1968 to 1973, during an exciting and successful, and sometimes turbulent, time for the club. Along with his good friend Paddy Daly and others he kept the good ship Summerhill afloat when, in 1970, efforts were made to form a new club in the parish. Reconciliation, however, was soon achieved and the club captured the intermediate championship in 1972 and the Feis Cup in 1973, while the club also reached the senior championship semi-final in 1973. This was just the start of Summerhill’s glory days as the club went from strength to strength in subsequent years. He served as Club President in2013 when Summerhill won the Senior Championship for the seventh time.

Jim was an all-round sportsman who also played rugby, tennis and golf. He played rugby as a boarder in Blackrock College and later lined out with North Kildare until a broken leg finished his rugby career. He was also a college champion at boxing. He was a founder member, and successful competitor, with Summerhill Tennis Club in the late 1950s and in later years he took up golf with his wife Breda. He won numerous competitions in the County Meath Golf Club, attaining the position of captain in 1986 and president in 1996-97. He remained active in recent years, playing bowls with the Meath Bowling Club.
The connection with the Club continues. In 1986 his nephew Peter played on the Senior Championship winning team versus Senchelstown. On the present Club Committee is his nephew John and Daughter in Law Lisa Comey who acts as Club treasurer. A LIFE WELL LIVED.

We offer our sincere condolences to Wife Breda, Family Vincent, Suzanne, Julian, Brother Vincent and extended Family.

Summerhill GFC.