The late John Maher Despite battling cancer, Myshall man John Maher remained relentless, rallying his community and raising a phenomenal E70,000 for cancer care. This determination and love of his community was fondly recalled at John's Requiem Mass as thousands gathered in solidarity to lay to rest the popular 42 years old. John, from Lismaconly Myshall, passed away peacefully at his home following a short illness, an illness he fought with tremendous bravery since his cancer diagnosis. While, understandably, many would have focused on their own illness in the face of such devastating news, John's first thoughts were of how he could help others and he immediately threw himself into a fundraising cycle. His infectious enthusiasm quickly mobilised an entire community. The cycle, held last October 21, 2006, went from Oilgate, Co Wexford to the village of Myshall and proved a phenomenal success. It is with genuine emotion that people now recall John leading the 180 cyclists back to the village, triumphant following their 25 mile trek. A fighter to the last, John's determination and the support of his friends raised E70,000 in total for the Irish Cancer Society and Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team. "It started as something small but then it just got out of control," a buoyant John told The Nationalist, October 2006. "I suppose caner is something that affects everybody at some stage. If it's not a member of your own family, it's a cousin or a friends," he then said. The only son of Mary (nee Cranny) and the late Nicholas Maher, John was an integral part of his family, a beloved son and much-loved brother to his only sibling, his sister Doreen. In later years, John became a great friend to his brother-in-law Joe Rooney and absolutely adored his nieces, Ashling and Roisin. In fact, while sadly John never had children of his own his kind heart and great sense of humour meant he was always an instant hit with children. "John was full of heart and love. He wasn't one for expressing this by hugs and kisses but underneath he had so much love" said his brother-in-law, Joe. In recent, years John also found great love and happiness with is girlfriend, Siobhan Haughney from Leighlinbridge, who was also an unstinting support to John during the difficult months. A devoted community man, John's love of Myshall, its GAA club Naomh Eoin, the village's various committees and many events was simply unwavering. He was always to the fore in any community activity while his affable good nature meant he was known and highly thought of far and wide. "There wasn't a house-hold in the parish who didn't know John," reflects Joe. John also had the unique distinction of being a member of the historic 1986 senior Naomh Eoin teams who completed the double by winning both the county senior football and hurling titles. This momentous occasion for the club led to tremendous celebrations and, as expected, John was in the thick of it. This love of the GAA was evident throughout John's life. He played both hurling and football from a young age right up to senior county level in both disciplines. In later years, this enthusiasm for the GAA continued and John was a selector for the county underage and senior hurling teams and was also a selector on the Naomh Eoin senior hurling and football teams. As testament to John's devotion to his club, over 100 Naomh Eoin club members formed a guard of honour as the remains were led to Lismaconly Cemetery. Like many captivated by the fortunes of Heffo's Army in the 1970's, John was an ardent Dublin supporter and passionately defended his beloved Dubs... despite the slagging he regularly got from fellow clubmen! Sport of any code remained a great passion for John and he was even among the fortunate proud Munster supporters who were in the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on that historic day in 2006 to see the might Munster win the Heineken Cup. A painter by trade, John worked for his cousin John Joe Maher in Tullow. John was noted as a skilled tradesman, in fact, many opted to wait until John could fit them into his schedule rather than get anyone else to carry out this painting work. At John's Requiem Mass, the Holycross Church, Myshall, was overflowing with mourners in one of the largest funerals the parish has witnessed. During the Mass John's friend, Des Murphy, read a poignant reflection in tribute while John's brother-in-law Joe, delivered a moving eulogy, describing the man he knew 20 years, so full of heart, kindness and goodwill. At the offertory procession items reflecting John's life brought to the altar included a hurl and sliotar, a Dublin jersey and a paintbrush, while the choir made up of many of John's neighbours and friends. Following the Mass celebrated by Fr Phil O'Shea, joined by Fr Brendan Howard and Fr Andy Leahy, the remains were brought to Lismaconly cemetery for burial. John is survived by his mother Mary, sister Doreen, girlfriend Siobhan, brother-in-law Joe, nieces Ashling and Roisin, relatives and many friends. He was pre-deceased by his father Nicholas. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 09 March 2007 Tweet

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