Sadness following passing of local GAA great
There is great sadness in the Ardnaree and Ballaghaderreen communities and communities in Co Donegal following the passing of Jim Fleming, Knocknacunny, Ballaghaderreen, and formerly of Ardnaree, Ballina.
Jim passed away peacefully in the loving care of the staff at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar yesterday, March 18.
He served An Garda Siochana for 35 years and was a steadfast member of the Mayo GAA family, rising to the rank of Mayo GAA President in 2013. He also served as chairperson of Ballaghaderreen for a number of years.
Mayo GAA, in a statement, paid tribute to the late Jim Fleming.
"All at Mayo GAA would like to express our sincere sympahy to Jim’s wife son and daughters at this difficult time. Ar Dhéis Dé go raibh an anam."
His first club, his native Ardnaree Sarsfields, with whom he played his first senior game in 1956, shared Jim’s journey in the sport in a social media post that was researched and prepared by the clubs history officer Colm McLoughlin.
His first senior game with Ardnaree was in 1956 alongside his icon John Forde in the half-back line.
Jim’s first outing with his county came as a substitute in the All-Ireland minor semi-final of 1957 and within a year would be on the Mayo senior team, making his debut against Dublin in a national league semi-final.
Jim lined out for Ardnaree in the 1950s, winning many club honours and famously in 1959, lined out for Mayo with Joe Corcoran, Ivan McCaffrey and PJ Gilmartin; four residents of one small street lining out for their county’s senior team. He worked locally as an apprentice in Clarke’s and Smiths garages in Ballina.
He joined the Gardaí and was stationed in Convoy, Co Donegal, where he won county senior championship honours with Sean MacCumhaills of Ballybofey in 1962.
The Convoy club reformed in 1963 and Jim added county junior championship and county junior league medals to his growing collection. His club exploits would also earn him games with the Donegal junior and senior teams, before being restationed in Ballaghaderreen.
In 1963, Jim married Annie Judge of Whitestream, Bonniconlon and they would have four children; Mairead, Caitlin, Ciara and Pat.
In 1967, Jim won Mayo senior county honours with an East Mayo amalgamation and the following year Jim captained Ballaghaderreen to the senior county championship.
Having played in Mayo squads from 1964, including a 1967 game against Australia in Croke Park, Jim decided to step away from the Mayo county setup in 1969.
After a bad car accident in 1972, it looked like Jim’s playing career was all but over, but miraculously he still managed to win three All-Ireland Garda championships during the 1970s.
His many achievements on the field for Ballaghaderreen would also be emulated in his ten-year stint as club chairperson, as well as holding countless other club positions.
Following the end of his playing career, Jim remained heavily involved in Mayo GAA, being a selector for the 1981 Connacht championship winning side. He was a founding member and one of the driving forces behind the Green & Red Trust for many years, and he also served as President of the Mayo GAA Board in 2014 and 2015.
After 35 years service with An Garda Siochána, Jim retired in 1996.
“He always remembered with fondness his many friends in Ardnaree and Convoy, and spoke glowingly of the people of Ballaghaderreen and the club he would immerse himself in,” Ardnaree Sarsfield said on their Facebook page.
“Not many can say that they have won Mayo junior, intermediate and senior county championships, junior and senior Donegal county championsips, and Connacht minor and senior championships.”
“The people of Ardnaree will always remember Jim as a true gentleman, always willing to help, a winner on and off the pitch.”
He will be fondly remembered by his extended family and friends. Jim will repose at his home in Knocknacunny, Ballaghaderreen on Thursday, March 20 from 5-8pm. Removal for Requiem Mass at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nathy, Ballaghaderreen on Friday, March 21 at 12pm.
