'A Rockie in every sense of the word': Jimmy Brohan remembered as gentleman who lived for his family
In the eulogy to his late father, Frank Brohan described him as a ‘gentle man’ who lived for his family and provided them for everything. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Cork and Blackrock GAA legend Jimmy Brohan was described as ‘the Prince of corner backs’ and ‘a Rockie in every sense of the word’ by his son Frank at his Funeral Mass in St. Michael’s Church in Blackrock this morning.
The winner of an All Ireland medal with Cork in 1954, two County Senior medals with Blackrock in 1956 and 1961, and six Railway Cup medals, Jimmy Brohan (88) was laid to rest alongside his late wife, Betty, who predeceased him in 2019, in St. Michael’s Cemetery following the Requiem Mass with Blackrock co-Parish Priest Fr. Michael Keohane as principal celebrant.
In the eulogy to his late father, Frank Brohan described him as a ‘gentle man’ who lived for his family and provided them for everything.
“The one word that kept popping up in all the tributes to my dad is ‘gentleman’, that’s exactly what he was, a gentle man,” said Frank.
“He was a Rockie in every sense of the word, born in 1935 in the middle of seven children, he never left Blackrock in his 88 years.
“He started life in Ballintemple on to Libertas Villas just up the road from this Church before settling in Gate Lodge.”
His son recalled how his dad hadn’t travelled too far to meet his wife, Betty, who grew up just ten doors away from Jimmy’s family home in Mahon Terrace.
“One of dad’s greatest attributes was patience, he was never ruffled and had time for everybody, a great man to go to for advice.
“He loved the craic and was a great man for the ball hop and, although he never took a drink himself, he was never slow to belt out a song or two in the old ‘Long Kesh’ or the Salmon, especially if the Rockies had a bit of silverware."
His son recalled the special tribute paid to his dad by the St. Michael’s team and supporters stood as one in his honour after Blackrock’s sister club won the McKiernan Cup last year.
“Jimmy worked for 30 years in Dunlops where he often said you wouldn’t want to lose to the Barrs or the Glen, the slagging was terrible,” said Frank. “I imagine he gave as good as he got.”
When Dunlops closed in 1983, Jimmy got a job in Customs and Excise which he described as ‘lucky’.
“He met many friends there and loved cycling from O’Sullivan’s Quay to the Marina office, no doubt visiting a bookie or two on the way.
“In both jobs he was fondly remembered by those who worked for him, often receiving calls from ex colleagues years after retiring, it was a testament to his character and good nature.
“Jimmy was also very well known as a stiles man, particularly in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Christy Ring Park (Páirc Uí Rinn) where together with his great friend and brother-in-law Eddie Collins they spent many a happy hour in a job they loved.”
His son recounted how Jimmy was diagnosed with cancer last August and bore his illness without complaint saying ‘what will be, will be’.
“He was a lifelong Rockie, player, selector, administrator, you name it, he did it and at the time of his passing, he was the club President, an honour he cherished and in a tremendous gesture, the club named the new hurling alleys after him in 2017.
“His county medals of 1956 and 1961 were his prize possessions – he loved the Rockies and the Rockies loved him.
“As well as that he served Cork well as a player and selector, winning an All-Ireland in 1954 and two Munster medals and was a selector for four All-Ireland wins, also winning six Railway Cups with Munster.
“He was also a proud St. Michael’s man, winning a Junior county in 1956 and an intermediate in 1969 as well as captaining Cork in the 1957 All Ireland Junior Final.
“There was one particular moment when after arriving in Church Road after St. Michael’s won the County last year, the players to a man stood and applauded Jimmy, a special moment that showed the regard they had for him.”
It was also recalled how Jimmy had come out of retirement a few times and would line out in goals when called upon. Frank recounted a story of one such occasion. “After borrowing a pair of boots from Tadhg Falvey, he took his place between the sticks.
“It wasn’t his finest hour in goal, they were soundly beaten and Jimmy left in a few soft ones.
“He was giving the boots back to Falvey when Eudie Coughlan who had been watching the game, piped up: “Jaysus Tadhg, don’t mind the boots, it’s your glasses you should have given him.”
While there were many memories of Jimmy’s contribution to his beloved GAA, his son recalled that his father’s greatest love was for his family. “We never wanted for anything, he was a great father, husband, grandfather, uncle and brother.
“He adored his three grand-daughters, Aoife, Eimear and Sarah, and more recently his great grandchildren, Teidí and Henry.
“His eyes would light up when he would see any of them calling for him.”
Among the items brought to the church were the Blackrock, St. Michael’s, Cork and Munster jerseys which Jimmy had worn during his playing career as well as a mobile phone which, when he first acquired one, Jimmy was prone to leaving at home but in his later years, he was never parted from it. Also included was a copy of the Examiner, which he would read from the back each morning, and a radio permanently tuned in to C103FM.
In his sermon, Fr Keohane said Jimmy’s family, club, community and parish had come out to shoulder his remains to the church in Blackrock.
“The thread knitting all those tributes together is respect and esteem, this is the bedrock of clubs and parishes, esteem and respect for those who’ve done ordinary things in an extraordinary way – this is something which uniquely defines this parish and Jimmy’s beloved clubs.”
Following the Funeral Mass, Jimmy Brohan was laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery where former Cork GAA secretary and his great friend, Frank Murphy, gave a graveside oration.
App?
