Cork GAA mourns Jim Cremin: “He taught us all what it...

After a short illness, Cork GAA mourns the loyal Jim Cremin of Nemo Rangers, a hurler and footballer of the famous Cork Club, and in later years a constant presence on the sidelines and in the background with countless Nemo teams UCC.

He was the goalkeeper for the star-studded UCC hurling team that Muskerry defeated in the 1970 Cork SHC final.

And he is pictured above celebrating the 2003 All-Ireland Club final victory over Crossmolina with his great friend Billy Morgan.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of club legend Jim Cremin,” said a club statement.

“In many ways, Jim was the heartbeat of the club – he embodied everything that was good with Nemo and the GAA.

“Jim was a friend to many in the club, no matter who you were. He has inspired generations of Nemo players with his passion and taught us all what it means to play for and represent Nemo.

“Jim had a way with words that few do. At times like these, we relied on Jim to find the words to express our sadness and grief.

“As a club, we owe Jim so much, something that words may not be able to capture.

“For the next days and weeks we will all remember Jim in our own way, laughing and remembering the good times.

“Jim will never be forgotten and we extend our condolences to Ber and his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. ”

Former Nemo player and manager Larry Kavanagh described him as “by far the most important person in Nemo for the past 40 years”.

“Jim just dripped the class. If it was the president coming into the club, or if it were Junior B medals or a training session with the U16 goalkeepers, you would turn to Jim. And he would give the same care and attention to each of these jobs.

“And what a speaker he was. When I was playing, Billy Morgan would often get him to speak to the team and he would pull in stories from history or his time as a volunteer in Africa.

“He was an intelligent, brilliant man, but such an approachable guy, always with that mischievous smile. We can never replace what he brought into the club. He is irreplaceable. ”

Former Kerry Star and Ex-Nemo Player Tomás Ó Get tweeted:

“I’m so sorry to hear of Jim Cremin’s death. Great Nemo Rangers GAA and UCC GAA man. A real gentleman with a penchant for Gaelic games and Irish culture. Will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis “.

Cremin was also known as an activist with Trócaire and served as a selector on several UCC Freshers hurling teams. He then came on board as one of Billy Morgan’s backroom teams for the UCC Sigerson team.

John Grainger, UCC Development Officer, said, “He was the motivator. But a quiet motivator, not one that slammed the table. He was easy to connect with people and he was a wonderful speaker. There was a locker room full of inter-county players from the likes of Kerry, Cork, and Tipperary. You would know a bluffer and Jim wasn’t a bluffer. ”

The UCC GAA Club tweeted, “Huge sadness with the death of Jim Cremin. A kind, decent man. He has influenced the lives of countless people in his life so much. Rest in peace.”

And Coláiste Chríost Rí, where Jim was an extremely popular and respected teacher, added: “Coláiste Chríost Rí lost a colleague, friend and legend yesterday. Jim Cremin will forever be remembered and loved by staff, students, parents and everyone associated with our school. His legacy will be remembered for a long time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. ”