Kerins, Jeremiah
February 24, 2010The late Jeremiah Kerins.
1941-2010
Wednesday, January 27, cast a grey cloud over Milltown, Mid-Kerry and beyond with the news of the death of Jeremiah Kerins of Callinafercy.
Due to his involvement in the GAA, the drapery business and the pub trade, plus his love of fishing, Jeremiah was known far and wide.
It was with respect and admiration he was spoken of in all four facets of his life.
Jeremiah, known affectionately as "The Hawker" was born in Callinafercy on February 18, 1941, the third of five of five sons to the late Bill and Catherine Kerins.
He was educated in the old Callinafercy National School and the old Technical School, Killorglin.
After leaving school he worked in Crowley's Drapery, Killorglin, before moving to Dublin to work in Michael Guineys Drapery store in Talbot Street.
While working there he played football with Ballymun Kickhams. He also had the unfortunate experience of being at work on May 14, 1974 when, as part of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings, a bomb exploded across from Guiney's killing 14 innocent people.
When in Dublin he met and married Mary O'Reilly and they had one daughter Cathy.
The mid 1970's saw Jeremiah move back down to his native Kerry and he worked in Horgan's Drapery, Killorglin before his first venture into the pub trade was him take over the running of the Castle Inn, Castlemaine in the late 70's.
Many a football team was selected, analysed and scrutinised as he drew crowds from all areas and sectors of the locality.
After a number of years he moved on, dividing his time as part-time barman, mostly in Francie Sheahan's in Killorglin, with his other great love, fishing.
He loved the waters of the Maine and Laune equally and spent many a morning, noon and night between the Cliff and Ballykissane Pier in his quest to land "the big one".
In GAA circles he gave decades of sterling service to both club and district. He started his career as part of the famous Callinafercy seven a side team and he captained the George McKenna trained team when they won the Killorglin Town League by beating Langford Street in the 1961 final.
In the latter stages of the 70's his club Milltown/Castlemaine was going through a lean period. After serving as chairman he took up the mantle as trainer and it is fair to say that from that point on the club has never looked back.
After losing the 1978 county Novice Final to Ballydonoghue he revived his troops to contest the 1979 equivalent against Knocknagoshel. This time Jeremiah tasted glory, as he led the club to capture its first ever county title.
How he was looking forward to meeting all the players and personnel at the 30th anniversary reunion of that team which was held last in Killorglin Golf Club in December. Unfortunately it wasn't to be as he was hospitalised just before the event.
Pre the physiotherapist, dietician, physiologist and motivational speaker days, Jeremiah's team talks and table-beating escapades were legendary, as were his magic bottles of water. They often geed up players to new heights!
His formula (if that is the right word), had its results as under his guidance the club continued its success on the field of play.
After years with the senior team he trained the minors and was instrumental in the club registering three in a row Mid Kerry minor championships in the late 90's. Indeed many personnel of that success went on to form the nucleus of the present day senior panel.
He was one of the first coaches to go into the national schools in the area and his enthusiasm and knowledge was well received and there is no doubt his quest to teach the youngsters the skills of Gaelic football proved fruitful and paved the way for many children in Milltown, Castlemaine and Ballyfinane national schools.
Jeremiah also served Mid-Kerry well. After a stint as senior trainer he formed part of a selection committee along with Tom Coffey (Beaufort), John O'Keeffe and Frank Walsh (Cromane), Sean Foley (Keel) and the late Mick O'Toole (Glenbeight/Glencar) that won the county minor championship titles in the early 90's.
In 2000 the Millennium year, in recognition of his service to the GAA, the Milltown/Castlemaine GAA club presented him with the Hall of Fame award at a special function held in Ballygarry House Hotel. It was well debated thereafter!
Removal took place from Flynn's Funeral home, Castlemaine on Thursday, January 28 to Milltown parish church, with internment in the local cemetery after 12 noon mass on Friday.
The large guard of honour on both days, provided mainly by the local GAA clubs, showed the high esteem the community and district at large held for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah is survived by his wife Mary and daughter Cathy, brothers Danny, Jack, Billy and Timothy, nephews, nieces, extended family and large circle of friends.
He may never have reached the dizzy heights normally associated with Kerry football. But the legacy of the 'dainty corner forward', who unselfishly divided his time between the nets of the river and the nets of the football field and who put "bottle" in the bottle green, will never be forgotten as long as a football is kicked in Mid-Kerry.
Ar Dheis De go raibh a nAinm.
Month's mind Mass in Milltown Parish Church on Friday, March 5.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
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