John McKnight (Gaelic footballer)

John McKnight
Personal information
Irish name Seán Mac Neachtain
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left corner-back
Born 1932
Killeavy, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Died 9 July 2017 (aged 84)
Howth, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Occupation Solicitor
Club(s)
Years Club
Killeavy
University College Dublin
Aodh Ruadh
Belturbet Rory O'Moore's
Colleges(s)
Years College
1949-1956 University College Dublin
College titles
Sigerson titles 2
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1953-1959 Armagh
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NFL 0

John McKnight (1932 – 9 July 2017) was a Northern Irish Gaelic footballer. His league and championship career with the Armagh senior team lasted seven seasons from 1953 to 1959. McKnight is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

Born in Killeavy, County Armagh, McKnight was raised in a family that had no link with Gaelic games. He first played Gaelic football with Ballybot in the Newry Street League competitions. McKnight and his three brothers would, in time, all line out for Armagh.[1]

McKnight played competitive Gaelic football during his schooldays at Abbey CBS Grammar School. Here he won a Rannafast Cup medal. During his studies at University College Dublin he won Sigerson Cup medals in 1954 and 1956.

After graduating in law in 1956, McKnight moved to Ballyshannon where he played Gaelic football with the Aodh Ruadh club. The following year he transferred his legal and football talents to Belturbet in Cavan, but in 1959 returned to Dublin.

McKnight made his debut on the inter-county scene when he was selected for the Armagh minor team. He enjoyed two championship seasons with the minor team, culminating with the winning of an All-Ireland medal in 1949. McKnight subsequently joined the Armagh junior team, winning an Ulster medal in 1951, before making his senior debut during the 1953 championship. He won an Ulster medal in his debut season, however, he ended the year as an All-Ireland runner-up. McKnight also won three successive Dr. Lagan Cup medals before his career ended in 1959.[2]

Throughout his inter-county career, McKnight was a regular member of the Ulster inter-provincial team. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 1956.

In retirement from playing, McKnight came to be recognised as one of the greatest players of all time. He was named in his customary left corner-back position on a Football Team of the Century composed of non-All-Ireland winners in 1984.

McKnight and his business partner, friend and former Fermanagh Gaelic footballer the late, great Gerry Charlton founded prominent Dublin law firm Reddy Charlton McKnight in 1964. McKnight acted as solicitor to the GAA for decades up until his retirement as a solicitor, guiding the Association through many legal issues, including the redevelopment of Croke Park.

McKnight died on 9 July 2017.[3]

Honours

University College Dublin
Armagh
Ulster

References

  1. ↑ "McKnight Bros". Hogan Stand. 9 April 1993. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  2. ↑ McGeary, Michael (21 July 2002). "GAA: Then and now - Knight to remember". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "The late John McKnight". Hogan Stand. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
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