Nemo's Jim Cremin Memorial event highlights all that is good about the GAA

THE annual Jim Cremin Memorial Tournament 2023 which was recently held at the Nemo Rangers club grounds proved a huge success.

Despite the inclement weather on the day seven teams participated in the tournament said Nemo PRO Eoin Weldon. 

“It was the second year the tournament was held. Nemo had two teams, while Castlehaven, O’Donovan Rossa, Bishopstown, Ballincollig and the Cork Masters also fielded a team. 

"A couple of teams had to pull out as they were still involved in the various club championships. Every team played each other once. The top two teams played each other in the final,” he said.

The club official said the tournament was a very ‘enjoyable’ day. 

“We used three pitches on the day which meant that the pitches held up very well. We cancelled all the games on the morning before the tournament to preserve the pitches. 

"Despite the weather, it was a very enjoyable day. The social element of the tournament was great. In between the games, the players were mingling away and then afterwards we had a function in the clubhouse. 

"Everyone had a hot meal after the tournament. We had speeches on in the clubhouse. Billy Morgan spoke about Jim Cremin and what he meant to the club. 

"Players from all the clubs stayed on, had a few drinks and a lot of good stories were shared.

”The tournament was played in a great spirit,” said the PRO.  “The matches flowed as there were three games on at all times. The games were 15 minutes long. 

"Players played six 15-minute games and then the final was played over a 10-minute duration. We had the games shorter than last year to help fellas' legs.

We had a number of former inter-county players playing. There were some exciting games and some great individual displays. 

"There were some tough hits and it was competitive,” he added.

The Nemo Rangers 1 team ultimately won the tournament after they narrowly defeated Castlehaven in the final said Weldon who also played on the winning team. 

“They had beaten us earlier in the day and then we got our own back in the final. We won by one point. 

"The captain of the team was Paul Hogan. He also got the winning point in the final. Chris Hayes from Castlehaven was presented with the Player of the Tournament award. He was brilliant in all the games. He was a deserving winner.” 

HEART

The tournament is held in honour of Jim Cremin who passed away in 2020. 

Jim was involved with numerous Nemo teams, as a player, mentor and manager in both codes. The late Cremin was a hugely popular figure in Nemo, where he was renowned for his passion and enthusiasm.

Eoin said he was the ‘heart’ and ‘soul’ of the club. 

Jim was a great club man. He would have been involved in so many teams. His speeches were legendary. 

"He had a great rapport with players and he dealt with fellas so well. Billy Morgan referenced the fact in his speech that Jim did a lot of work quietly with players who might have had personal issues.

“It has always been remarked in the club that Jim set the standards in how we treat people with respect. 

"He was the heart and soul of the club. He gave us identity. He was a great storyteller, who lives on. He passed away during Covid and in some ways we didn’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye to him. 

"We thought this tournament would be a nice way to remember him,” he added.