I first met James properly when he came to coach our Camogie team at Tir na nOg. He was a man who threw everything he had into trying to get the best out of everyone. I remember his drills that I could never get my head around until I watched someone else doing them and how he loved to tell stories of other teams he had played in or coached.

After finishing my camogie career having started a family, I went back to play Gaelic for Mothers for a while. Again, James was at the helm. I remember how he loved a bit of craic with the ladies and how encouraging he was. I fondly remember him having us race to cones and the winners picked up a prize. I don’t remember any other coach in all my years playing having bought us prizes.

The tributes I’ve read online this week have taught me a lot about James that I never knew. What a testament they are to a truly great son, brother, uncle, friend and gael. May his family get some comfort from the messages that have been sent. May James rest in peace. Xx