CLAN na Gael and other Armagh clubs have been paying tribute to the late, great Colum McKinstry following his death earlier this week.

Colum was regarded as one of the best players to ever pull on the Orchard jersey and he won three Ulster titles and an All-Star in 1980. He also helped propel Armagh to the 1977 All-Ireland final, only the second in their history, while he won three Ulster Club titles with the Clans and reached the 1974 All-Ireland final where they lost to a Eugene McGee managed UCD after a replay.

“Recognised throughout his long career as one of the highest fielding midfielders of his generation, he inspired the Clans to many of our victories during that time. His displays also inspired many of our younger members to follow in his footsteps and wear the blue jersey with pride, hoping to emulate his many achievements,” the Clan na Gael club said.

“His popularity among his teammates could be seen in the number of times he was voted Senior Player of the Year.

“When his playing career ended, he still found time to manage the senior team along with Barry John O’Hagan and Diarmaid Marsden to a championship final in 2006, where they unfortunately lost to Crossmaglen Rangers.

“Colum McKinstry’s displays for club and county earned him many admirers from friend and foe alike.

“Described by many as a ‘true gentleman’, the club has been inundated by people all over the county and beyond offering their condolences and voicing their admiration for this gentle giant.

“Despite his many successes and accolades through the GAA, Colum McKinstry’s greatest pride was in his family, his wife Nuala, daughters Niamh, Grainne and Eimear and his beloved grandchildren. To them, we send our condolences and prayers.”

Middletown was another club Colum managed, and they to paid tribute to his impact.

“Middletown GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Colum McKinstry one of the legends of Armagh football who graced the football fields with his club Clan Na Gael and Armagh during the 1970s and early 1980s.

“Colum, along with Gerard McGleenan, had a spell managing our senior footballers and anyone who worked with him found him to be a true gentleman and ever willing to impart his experience and knowledge.”

Whitecross GAC said: “We extend our condolences to the family and fellow Gaels at Clan na Gael on the sad passing of Colum McKinstry.”

Carrickcruppen also expressed their sympathies.

“It is with great sadness that all in Carrickcruppen GAA have heard of the passing of the great Clan na Gael and Armagh footballing star Colum McKinstry.

“Colum was a gifted and dominant midfielder for club and county. Above all, he was a true gentleman on and off the field. In Carrickcruppen, we recall his sporting battles with our own star midfielders Jim Loughran and Gerry O’Reilly in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

“As one of the heroes of the Armagh team’s championship campaign in 1977, and as one of the mainstays of Clan na Gael’s Armagh and Ulster dominance for a decade or more, Colum won trophies but also won friends and admirers far beyond his club and county.”