Council hold reception for Jimmy Kirkwood

Lisburn City Council recently hosted a reception for Jimmy Kirkwood to mark the 25th anniversary of the Great Britain Hockey team’s success at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which won Olympic Gold.
Mr Jimmy Kirkwood; Alderman Allan Ewart; Alderman Paul Porter and Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton.Mr Jimmy Kirkwood; Alderman Allan Ewart; Alderman Paul Porter and Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton.
Mr Jimmy Kirkwood; Alderman Allan Ewart; Alderman Paul Porter and Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton.

Kirkwood was a member of the squad which struck Gold at the Olympics.

The reception was hosted by Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee.

The Council has a close friendship with Mr Kirkwood who has been recognised and honoured as one of Lisburn’s sporting legends.

The reception was attended by colleagues of Mr Kirkwood, including his former hockey club team members from Lisnagarvey Hockey Club as well as friends and family.

Inspiration

The Mayor, Councillor Margaret Tolerton, said: “I am delighted to welcome this very modest yet highly successful sportsman to Lagan Valley Island. Lisburn is very proud of Jimmy Kirkwood’s achievements and he is an inspiration to many up and coming hockey players.

“It is perhaps less well known that Jimmy was also an international cricketer and we commend him for his sporting prowess.”

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee, hosted the reception and welcomed the audience to the special reception, with Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee.

Alderman Porter said: “It was great to see Jimmy and he is one of our most admired sportsmen. Jimmy does not actively court publicity but we felt it was very important that the 25th Anniversary of his outstanding sporting success was marked.

“He would typify all the qualities that a good team member would need; this is evident in that he does not wish to shine over anyone else. However Jimmy is a local man and we were very pleased that he agreed to the reception and was able to attend.

“With the European City of Sport coming to an end, we feel it is very important to pay our respects to notable past sporting achievements on significant anniversaries.”

Alderman Allan Ewart said: “I would like to thank everyone who came along and made the evening a special one. We are very proud of the local sporting talent in Lisburn and some of our sportspeople are very well known indeed not only throughout Northern Ireland but globally in several cases.

“We have a lot of worthy sportspeople to be proud of and we consider Jimmy Kirkwood to be a key ambassador for the City of Lisburn.”

Related topics: