Wolfe Tone & St. Enda's, Derrymacash notes
January 14, 2013Wolfe Tone & St. Enda's, Derrymacash
John McCarron RIP
The club is in mourning following the sad passing of our beloved Honorary President John McCarron on Friday evening. John was a GAA legend in Derrymacash and around the county, following his exploits with the county teams of the late '40s and early '50s. He was a true gentleman and loved everything about our club, and was deeply honoured to be the recipient of a Wolfe Tones Hall of Fame award. As a neighbour and friend, we could not have asked for a better role model and icon to become president of our club. Everyone in Wolfe Tone and Saint Enda's GAC and indeed in our neighbouring clubs will remember John very fondly and we will recall many happy memories of a great man.
We wish to offer our deepest sympathies to his children, his grandchildren and extended family circle. To his many friends, we offer our condolences and to the community of Kinnegoe and Derrymacash, we offer our support. Ní bheidh a leithéad arís ann. We will never see his likes again. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. We trust that there is a place more peaceful that John has now gone to and his stressors are no longer with him. May his honourable soul rest in the peace of Christ.
A minute's silence was held in the Athletic Grounds before the start of the Armagh and Cavan game in John's memory. It was a very fitting tribute for a man described by Seán McCann on the evening as a Tones legend and Armagh great. The tribute was impeccably observed and we as a club would like to thank the Armagh County Board for helping to facilitate it. Go raibh míle maith agaibh ó chroí.
The following piece on John McCarron's playing career was taken from the booklet produced to celebrate our 90th Anniversary in 2007.
A Legend in the Orchard County
John McCarron is a legend in the Orchard County - just like his country and western singing hero Johnny McEvoy. And GAA footballer writers say that on his day he was probably the best midfielder the county ever produced. But the gifted midfield hustler's career was jinxed by a recurring injury.
Amazingly John, the gentleman president of the Wolfe Tone's Derrymacash, sustained a dislocated shoulder on four separate occasions. The first time his shoulder popped was during the 1947 Ulster Final against Cavan. It also happened six years later when Armagh were facing Kerry in the 1953 All-Ireland final. It was a devastating blow and prevented John from battling to retain his place on the Armagh bench. But you will never hear John decry his bad luck.
His tally of medals is also impressive - he won three Dr McKenna cups during his playing days with Armagh in the 1940s and 1950s. And even when his county playing days were over, John proudly donned the Wolfe Tone jersey, even teaming up with the legendary Bill McCorry in the 1970s for a masterclass in how to play club football. I have always been a one-man club says John who loves nothing better than to while away the evening listening to the tones of Johnny McEvoy as he surveys Lough Neagh from his Kinnego home. Keep it country, John, keep it country!
To all of John's relatives and friends, we extend sincere sympathies. Our club will never forget the great John McCarron and we are eternally grateful to him for the many happy memories that he has left us with.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal. John McCarron RIP. Tweet
