When news spread of the passing at a comparatively early age of John Cassidy, Curragh West, there was a profound sense of sadness and loss throughout the entire community, and particularly so in footballing circles. We all knew John so well and respected him so much, not just as an extremely talented footballer, but as a very special person. His achievements on the Football field are known far and wide and and during the golden era of Williamstown GAA Club in the 1970s and early 1980s, he was an ever-present and inspirational member of the team which won every honour in the game, including the big double of Division 2 League and championship in 1981. He is the first member of that special team to leave us and his passing is a cause of great sorrow. As we walked beside our colleague, team-mate and friend for one last time, we did so with great sadness, but also with immense pride. As a player, he didn't just have class, be had the equally important gift of consistency and he never ever let the side down. When the going got tough, then he really came into his own, and when the chips were down, we could always depend on Cass. He very seldom completed a game without scoring at least 3 or 4 points. Just as important as his playing ability was his awareness of team spirit; he was continuously urging on his team-mates, and the more we struggled, the more he praised and encouraged us.

His sporting ability was just one of John's many talents and as a husband, a Father, worker, and good-living and highly respected member of the community, he was second to none. Apart from sport, some of the other lovely memories I have of John is of his beautiful rendering of ballads such as The Rocks of Bawn and
bis superb mouth organ-playing in thetrditional style. When the above-mentioned 1981 team had a very special reunion in 2006, John entertained us brilliantly with his selection of Irish tunes. Another of John's great interests was local history and heritage and in recent times, he and some of his equally committed neighbours in Curragh West compiled priceless pieces of info on this most important corner of our parish, which will be of immense and lasting benefit. As far as
his footballing colleagues are concerned, the passing of John leaves a great void, but we are well aware that, much as we will miss him, Margaret and the four girls, Anna, Sara, Nora and Katy, will miss him a thousand times more, as will his sisters and all his loved ones, and we extend our deepest sympathy to all of them. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of very special memories and we know that these will sustain his loved ones now and well int he future. It is typical of John that he faced his illness with the same courage that he always displayed on the football field, and he well deserves the peace and everlasting happiness which is now his.

Slan leat, a chara den chead scoth agus Suaimhneas Siorai na bhFlaitheas duit. Ar Dheis De go raibh do anam uasal.

Courtesy of Tuam Herald Tweet

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