Tributes paid as veteran sports journalist Jim Gracey dies

Tributes have been paid to "giant of sports journalism," Jim Gracey who has died aged 68.

Gracey, who was from Lurgan in County Armagh, worked for the newspaper The Belfast Telegraph for more than 40 years.

He joined The Belfast Telegraph in 1979 after working for the Lurgan Mail, and later became the sports editor of the paper and its sister paper, Sunday Life.

He retired in 2021.

He covered football on both the domestic stage in Northern Ireland and the international, and attended six World Cups in the course of his career.

He was also the director of the sports charity Mary Peters Trust, named after the Olympic gold medal-winning pentathlete Lady Mary Peters, who grew up in Northern Ireland.

Chief Sports Writer for the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life Steven Beacom described him as a "larger than life character and a giant of sports journalism".

"He was a man who broke huge stories, wrote the sharpest opinion pieces, interviewed stars with authority and empathy and was respected across the sporting spectrum in Northern Ireland and beyond," he added.

He also recalled Gracey's "great company," "big heart, generosity and all the fun that we had when we covered World Cup and European Championship tournaments together".

He was described as someone who gave young aspiring reporters a chance.

Paul Ferguson, Head of Sport for Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life said Gracey was a "wonderful writer, headline composer and fiercely protective of his staff".

"Jim had a wonderful turn of phrase, made it his mission throughout his career to hold power to account, especially the 'suits' at the Irish FA, and was a master of uncovering emotive and fascinating details from his interviewee," he added.

He said he was a "proud son of Lurgan, football (Glenavon, Manchester United and Northern Ireland) and motorcycling were his passions," but he always made sure Northern Ireland success stories were celebrated in the paper.

He said that despite being at the helm of many sporting triumphs, it was the "human touch" that made him special.

Mervyn Whyte, the event director of the North West 200 knew the Lurgan man professionally and personally, describing him as a "great character and a great writer".

"I knew Jim for many years and he was always massively supportive of the North West 200.

"Over the years he wrote many great in-depth pieces about the North West 200. He had an in-depth knowledge of racing and especially the North West 200."

White said Gracey's death came as "major shock".

He said this year's North West 200 was the first time Gracey and his wife Paula had not been to the event "for a good number of years".

"He was a great friend to me and the North West 200," added Whyte.