Cork soccer in mourning after losing Rockmount legend Jamsie Corcoran

MY Wednesday nights will never be the same again.

I absolutely loved playing football with the men up the ‘Dyke. The reason I played was not only to improve my game, but it was to meet, get to know and play with great characters such as Jamesie Corcoran.

He invited me up there to play about six years ago.

And although I was the only girl with over 20 men, he certainly didn’t make me feel left out. A kick into the back of the leg was his way of telling me I was one of the men now, and I loved it.

He kicked me harder than any other lad on the pitch, but that was the respect he had for me as a footballer and not as a girl.

He treated me as a footballer and I loved that. I will miss my battles with Jamesie in the middle of the park.

We would literally kick each other over the park, hate each other on the pitch, but the minute the game ended we were best friends, and that is how Jamesie went through his whole soccer career, both as a player and a manager.

He loved Rockmount, he would defend it to the last, and he would fight with you over everything, but the minute it ended, he would go for a pint, and be your best friend again.

He was also very interested in my kids’ careers which showed how great of a person he was.

A total soccer nut job as I would often call him. My mom would refer to him as ‘smiler’ and that is exactly how he will be remembered by me and his friends.

Facebook has been in meltdown since hearing of Jamesie’s untimely death.

There has been an outpour of tributes from clubs all over the country.

Pat O’Neill, member and player with Killarney Celtic was devastated to hear the news.

“Hearing the shock news on Sunday morning while I was shopping with my kids was devastating.

“The news that James passed away doing what he loved the most playing sport. I met James through another friend Timmy Singleton, Leeds United, and we developed a friendship.

“To no surprise there’s no such as a friendly game when James is playing.

“Committed, one of the best midfielders I have ever played against and played with. Sport is the best way to make friends and through James I have experienced this.

“There’s a quote: ‘Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

‘Others stay leaving lasting impressions upon us.

‘And we are never ever again the same.’

“I’m sure he has left lasting impressions upon everyone who had the pleasure meeting him. What a legend, what a player, what a mentor and what a friend.”

John Delea has been a huge part of Jamesie’s life for years. Both are Rockmount to the core and John paid this tribute to his great friend.

“We are all deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our great friend Jamesie. Everybody at the club are all in shock to be honest.

“I’ve known Jamesie for over 30 years when he came to the club with Billy Cronin and Deccy Courtney and they along with Kieran O’Sullivan have been remarkable Rockmount men.

“Last month the five of us went on our annual trip to Manchester and with Jamesie a picture of health, little did we know it would be his last trip with us. We are really devastated.”

One of those Over-50 players who regularly played with Jamesie is Timmy Singleton and he paid this tribute to his friend.

“Jamesie was such a character who loved the game of football,” Singleton said.

“He loved when we played in the charity games, he just breezed the game and got on with everyone. When he was 50 he captained our 50s team in Killarney which he loved.

“He played in so many charity games to help raise much-needed money and I’ll be forever grateful to him for that.”

Another colleague on and off the pitch was Pat Mahon.

“It’s very hard to take to be honest,” Mahon said. “Jamsie was the catalyst between so many players up the Dyke and we’re devastated to be honest.

“Soccer on a Wednesday will never be the same without the banter from Jamesie.”

As a great friend of Jamesie it was very evident that family and football were his biggest passion in life.

He adored his wife Martina, sons Alan and Cian, daughter Niamh and grandkids Darragh and Adam.

May 12 will forever be a sad memory for me. I’m heartbroken to lose one of my closest friends.