Iggy Jones


Ignatius "Iggy" Jones was a Tyrone Gaelic footballer who is now considered one of the greats of Tyrone football. He was part of the breakthrough Tyrone team that won back-to-back Ulster Championships in 1956 and 1957 – they had not won a championship prior to that. He also represented Ireland in an exhibition series versus the combined Universities.
His main asset was his ability to solo run at great length, before setting up a team mate, or scoring himself. Along with players such as Frankie Donnelly, he was one of the first generation of Tyrone players to make an impact on the All-Ireland stage.
He was listed by Eoghan Corry, in his book, 'The GAA Book of Lists,' as one of eleven great players never to win an All-Ireland crown.
He first made his name as a schoolboy in the first ever Hogan Cup final – an unorthodox place for a player to cement a reputation. He was playing for St. Patrick's, Armagh, against St. Jarliath's, Tuam. His personal scoring tally was 3–4, out of Armagh's 3–12, inspiring them to a four-point victory.
His mark on the school's competition has been rewarded by having the MacRory Cup matches' Man of the Match award named after him.
A School teacher he served as Headmaster of Presentation Brothers, Dungannon the Iggy Jones Room', in O'Neill Park, Dungannon is also named in his honour.