The death on Monday last of our esteemed Club President, Peter John Caraher caused widespread sorrow and regret among club members and supporters and indeed within whole local community.

Peter John's death sees another of the stalwarts who did so much to help bring to fruition the dreams of local Gaels, to own their own playing field and grounds, pass to their eternal reward. When club members made the decision in the mid-1970s to try and purchase and develop a playing field which for the first time in their history would be the property of St. Patrick's GFC, Peter John was prominent in their ranks. As someone who was, throughout his life, always anxious to promote anything positive which would contribute to the growth and fostering of Irish culture in the Cullyhanna community; it was natural that he would step in and offer his considerable knowledge and abilities to help achieve that long desired ambition.

Needless to say the club had little resources at the time they set out to achieve those ambitious dreams and although the response of the community within the parish was generous, times then, as now, were far from prosperous and money was scarce. It was therefore a far from easy task which faced the various committees of those years. Undeterred by the difficulties the committee, led by able men like Peter John, set about their work in a professional and able manner and although the road was long and difficult with many upsets along the way they persevered until their work reached fruition with the official opening of the new grounds on the 3rd July 1988. Peter John was indeed a proud man that day when he took his place on the platform with his good friend and neighbour the late Cardinal Tómas Ó Fiaich and the then President of the GAA. John Dowling for the official opening ceremony.

Testimony to the respect that Peter John was held in was apparent in the huge numbers of people who visited the house and attended the funeral cortege and ceremony in Cullyhanna on Wednesday morning. Now as the club sets out on phase three of their development project to build a second playing field it can take inspiration from the work that club members like Peter John Caraher did in the past and also remember when difficulties arise, as surely they will, that those who went before faced similar problems and trials but managed to overcome them and carry on to success. To his wife Mary, sons, daughters, grandchildren and large family circle we offer our sincere condolences on their great loss. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

- Courtesy of Armagh Examiner, 18th October 2011 Tweet

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