All in Dublin Pitch & putt were shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Westmeath’s James Corcoran on Tuesday morning. James was a great administrator of the game in his county and a greater worker in getting Lough Owel firmly on the Pitch & Putt map. In recent years James has enjoyed a strong relationship with Dublin Pitch & Putt and both James and his brother David along with Charlie Egan were instrumental in the setting up of the Westmeath – Dublin Challenge for the gents inter & juniors, it took place in Erins Isle in 2013 and then in August a Dublin Inter / Junior team travelled to Rochfortsbridge to do battle with their midland neighbours. As usual the hospitality on offer from James & his colleagues to the Dublin team was second to none.
James played a key role in arranging the County Challenge in Lough Owel in October 2013 which got Inter & Junior players representing their county and doing battle over the long challenging course. This was the undoubted catalyst for the Leinster Inter County that took place in Athgarvan and McDonagh in August. It was a wonderful day for all associated with the sport and Westmeath did James proud by winning the Inter event and finishing second in the Junior Inter County. It capped a memorable week for brother’s James & David whose senior team took the Leinster Inter County crown in Collinstown the previous Sunday, both were overjoyed with this success when we saw them in Athgarvan.
James was strongly considering taking the step towards a position on the PPUI Central Council in 2015 and all that knew him will be sad that he was denied that opportunity, he was a man full of bright ideas that would surely have benefitted our sport in the years ahead. We won’t get to see that but we can be thankful of all he did for the sport and for the strong relationship he had enjoyed with Dublin Pitch & Putt. The sport will be all the poorer for his passing. We extend deepest sympathies to his family and large circle of friends at this time. His Funeral details are reposing at Gilsenan’s funeral home on Thursday December 04th from 4pm followed by removal to the Cathedral of Christ the King arriving at 6.30pm. Funeral on Friday after 10am mass to Ballyglass cemetry.
May he rest in peace.