Bergin, Jimmy
January 11, 2008
The Late Jimmy Bergin
The man who turned the care of Kilkenny GAA headquarters, Nowlan Park into a labour of love has died.
Mr Jimmy Bergin (85) from Brownstown, Kilkenny died at his home after being ill for some time.
Mr Bergin was the caring, knowledgeable groundsman at the Park for over 50 years. He loved Gaelic games, the people who played them but it hurling, football or camogie and he always wanted to have the grounds at the 'Park in tip top condition.
He started working at the grounds in 1952. Through all the subsequent development work, they playing surface took a battering from time to time. But Mr Bergin always had it in mint condition, be it for matches or county training for big games.
Mr Bergin travelled to al the big games with players and he stayed with the kilkenny party on the night of All-Ireland finals. He was a friend of all the players and officials, and he never had anything but praise for Kilkenny, its players and people.
Mr Bergin was a true gentleman, and he had a welcome for everyone who crossed the threshold of his second home, which was Nowlan Park.
Mr Bergin was a winner of the Irish Examiner GAA Presidents Awards for 2006. The awards were first presented in 2004 to acknowledge and commitment of individuals throughout the Association by providing formal recognition of their work for and dedication to the GAA.
Among the winners were former players, coaches, benefactors and officials from across the country as well as recipients recognised for their contributions to handball, ladies football and camogie.
He is survived by his wife, Chrissie; Eileen, Christine and Breda (daughters); Michael (son); Michael and John (brothers); Mrs Gretta Langton Castlecomer Road (sister) and a host of other relatives and friends.
The remains were removed to St. John's Church, Kilkenny. The burial took place at St. Kieran's cemetery, Kilkenny (Wednesday) after 10.30am mass.
Courtesy of the Kilkenny People
11/1/ 2008
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