Tributes paid as veteran sports journalist Jim Gracey dies
· Yahoo Sports
Tributes have been paid to "giant of sports journalism," Jim Gracey who has died aged 68.
Gracey worked for the newspaper The Belfast Telegraph for more than 40 years.
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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.
Such sad news about the passing of my pal Jim Gracey...a giant of journalism & a champion of Northern Ireland sport. He was also kind enough to give many young people a start in the industry and will be missed by all who knew him.
— Steven Beacom (@StevenBeacom5) July 12, 2026
Condolences to Jim's wife Paula and his family. https://t.co/xzJi2ickxs
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.