FORMER Tyrone footballer Jody Gormley has sadly passed away at the age of 53, it has emerged this evening.

Gormley, who in recent years managed his native Trillick, revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

In a heart-breaking interview, Jody told the BBC’s GAA Social Podcast that he had “no fear of dying whatosever” and that he “felt blessed his entire life.”

He also spoke of the impact of his diagnosis on his family, his wife Deirdre and children, Aine, James and Niamh, reflecting that “it’s probably tougher on the family than me.”

Jody broke the news of his diagnosis to the Trillick senior footballers on the evening of their Tyrone Senior Championship final defeat to Errigal on October 25.

He had managed the team to last year’s O’Neill Cup title, and during his own playing days he enjoyed a distinguished career with Tyrone, winning back-to-back Ulster titles in 1995 and 1996, and lining out in midfield in the 1995 All-Ireland final against Dublin.

Jody, who had a lengthy teaching career at Abbey CBS, managed the Newry school to their first MacRory Cup final in 19 years back in 2006. They won and ended up as Hogan Cup champions, the very pinnacle of school’s football.

He also managed at intercounty level with Antrim, leading the team to a Tommy Murphy Cup title in 2008, as well as serving as Down coach under Paddy O’Rourke in 2006.

While he resided in Belfast in recent decades, his heart belonged back home and the news of his death will leave behind a trail of sadness in Trillick, Tyrone and beyond.