Jim Neylon – A Tribute
Posted on 2, February 2015
in Category Club News
Jim Neylon RIP passed away on the 19th January 2015 (Age 81 years)
Jim Neylon made a tremendous contribution to Limerick Swimming. Famous for his enthusiasm and humour, Jim was a corner stone/patriarch of Limerick Swimming.
Jim was active in all areas of Swimming since the 70’s. He began in Seal Swimming Club as a Teacher and then became Chairperson and PRO, positions he retained for more than 25 years during which time it grew from a small Club into one of the largest in the country with lessons being run in every pool in the city. In his role as Chairman, Jim was a great advocate of further education for Swim Teachers, constantly reminding swim Ireland of their obligation to run seminars to keep Teachers educated and informed on the latest developments in that field. Jim continued to teach and coach with Seal until 2005.
Jim’s vision of a co-operative and progressive system between the clubs of Limerick came to fruition in 1986 when he was instrumental in the forming of Limerick Swimming Club. He had always contended that instead of the local Clubs competing against each other, they should merge and form one strong competitive Club. The Masters was also set up in ’86 and became affiliated to LSC to become Limerick Masters. The strong network and partnership in Limerick Swimming that resulted and continues to thrive, was praised and documented by Terry Dennison, Swim Ireland Director as being the best model for others to follow.
As PRO of Limerick Swimming Club and Limerick Masters SC, Jim tirelessly promoted swimming at every level, regularly writing press releases and submitting Gala results so that the local press (The Limerick Leader) was rarely without a swimming feature. He constantly highlighted the fact that Limerick Swimming needed financial support through fundraising and Sponsorship.
Jim himself was a talented swimmer and while he was competing in Masters Competitions, he was one of their most consistent medal winners and was not shy of indulging himself in his Gala reports.
Limerick Swimming was very lucky to have Jim Neylon.
Breda McNamara
Sec. Limerick Masters SC
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