The club was saddened to hear the news that broke last Wednesday morning that the legendary Jimmy Cross, author of the History of Newmarket GAA had passed away.

Jimmy was an institution in Newmarket for eight decades. His shoemaker shop in New Street was the venue for countless generations of Newmarket people and outsiders to debate and discuss the topics of the day. He had many interests in life but the GAA was his consuming passion. He gave great service to Newmarket as a player in both football and hurling from the late 1930’s to 1950.

Jimmy’s playing honours included an Examiner Cup in 1948, Duhallow junior championship medals in 1949/50 in football and also in 1950, he lined out in the Newmarket side that lost the County Junior football final in a replay against Canovee. In hurling Jimmy won Duhallow junior championship medals in 1947/48/49/50. He was a trainer and selector of numerous teams from juvenile to intermediate level. Jimmy had the distinction of serving as a selector on the Cork minor hurling team in 1951 which won the All Ireland final and had a major influence on the Newmarket football team that won the County junior football championship for the first time in the clubs history in 1970. Jimmy was also an outstanding referee and for many years refereed several senior County Championship games.

As an administrator, Jimmy served as secretary of the club for ten years from 1939 to 1948 and acted as treasurer in 1961 and again from 1962/66. For numerous years all Newmarket team selections were posted on Jimmy’s shop window. He was secretary of the committee that purchased the clubs current playing grounds in the Town Park and acted as an active fundraiser in several carnivals to provide funds for the ground. Jimmy also held the office of chairman in the Duhallow Juvenile GAA Board. In 1994, he presided over the clubs under 21 football team that claimed the Duhallow title for only the second time in the clubs history and many of this team went on to represent Newmarket in winning a second County junior football title four years later. At the turn of the millennium Jimmy with the assistance of Andy O’Connor penned the History of Newmarket GAA Club and this fine publication was launched in the presence of another legendary GAA figure, former GAA President, the late Con Murphy.

Outside of his lifetime input and contribution to the history of Newmarket GAA Club, Jimmy had numerous other hobbies and was the hub of many organisations in the community.

A huge guard of honour representing many generations was present at the removal and Jimmy’s wish was that the club be represented under the coffin on the day of his funeral. A final minutes pause and silence was observed by the cortege outside Jimmy’s shop before an icon of Newmarket was laid to rest.

To his wife Theresa, son Liam, daughter Tracey, brothers, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and huge circle of friends we would like to extend our sincerest of sympathies. Ar a dheis De go raibh a anam.