Jackie Morley passes away...

Jackie was renowned in League of Ireland football as a tough but fair opponent and was held in high esteem by his peers.

His League of Ireland career was spent with Cork Hibernians and Waterford. During his time with Cork Hibernians he won FAI Cup runner up medals in 1960 and 1963. He was signed for Waterford in 1967 by the player-manager of the day, Martin Ferguson, Alex Ferguson's brother.

During his time at Waterford he won four League of Ireland Championship medals and was part of the three in a row team that claimed League titles in 1967/68, 1968/69 and 1969/70. He also won a League Championship medal with the Blues in his final season at the club, 1971/72. During his time with Waterford, they reached a further two FAI Cup finals in 1968 and 1972 but the Cup winner's medal was to elude him.

Jackie also enjoyed many high profile European matches with Waterford against clubs such as Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic and scored a memorable goal against Galatasaray in the 1969 European Cup match in Lansdowne Road.

Both of his sons played League of Ireland football and Pat remains one of the most prolific goal scorers in the history of the League

Jackie is survived by his wife Joan and his children Pat, David and Sheenagh.

Commenting on behalf of the Association, FAI CEO John Delaney said: "I was very saddened to hear that Jackie Morley had passed away and I extend my sincere condolences to his wife and children. He was a great footballer and a close family friend. We will pay a special tribute to mark his contribution to Irish football at our next international match against Serbia in March."

FAI President Paddy McCaul paid his condolences to Jackie's family. "Jackie made a great contribution to Irish football during his career with Cork Hibernians and Waterford. Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with his family and friends."

On behalf of everyone involved with The Irish Soccer Referees Society Cork Branch, may I extend our deepest sympathies to the Morley Family at this sad time.

'Ar dheis De go raibh a anam' 

John Linehan.

Jackie Morley  - A Soccer Legend ( by Finbarr Buckley )

‘One of the classiest defenders, hugely respected both on and off the field.’

Jackie Morley started off by playing Gaelic football for Sullivan’s Quay School & club hurling for Redmonds before joining Evergreen United as an amateur in 1954 at the age of 18. In September 1956 he was signed by West Ham United where he made seven first-team appearances before returning to Cork three years later. He joined Cork Hibernians shortly afterwards where he won two cup runners-up medals in 196O & ’63. He moved on to Waterford in 1968, winning league titles in ’68, ’69, ’70 & ’72, but had to settle for runners-up spot again in the cup finals of 1968 & 1972. He worked for the Cork Examiner and is the father of former Cork City striker, Pat.

In 1956 Evergreen United player J. Madden received presentations on behalf of the directors and players at Turners Cross, to mark his recent marriage. Others included are Austin Noonan, John Vaughan, Jack Morley, Derry Barrett, Pat O’Keefe and Jack Lennox.