A dark cloud and an air of gloom hung over our club on Friday morning last as our club president and former hurling stalwart John McHugh passed on to his eternal reward after a long illness which he bore with both dignity and bravery. It would be fair to state that Castletownroche as a community has been shorn of a tireless worker for whatever cause he threw his lot in with and a man of integrity and purpose. John was a hurler and footballer of some note in his younger days where he manned the small square from his customary full back position. He won back to back North Cork championship medals in the junior 'A' grade in the mid-1950s, giving sterling performances on every outing. However, it was an an administrator and mentor at both local and inter county level that he excellent within the GAA. A brilliant orator, he gave many a rousing speech before and after a game. John filled nearly every position within the club at some stage of his illustrious career and was the club's representative to the county board for many years. He also served as selector on various Avondhu and Cork county underage and junior teams over the decades and it is impossible to gauge or measure his impact. John also did his stint at juvenile level, serving as chairman in the early nineties at local level. He was inducted into both the Juvenile Board and North Cork Divisional Boards Hall of Fame. The honour of club president was bestowed upon him in the late 1990s after the passing of another Castletownbere legend, Mick Hazelwood. He carried out this role with the same enthusiasm and dedication that he gave to any other cause throughout his long and distinguished career. The AGMs won't seem the same without the tall silver-haired man with the distinctive accent presiding over the lection of officers for the year ahead. In his latter years John set about recording the history of the club with the help of his old friend and Fermoy man Tommy O'Brien. He spent countless hours gathering and structuring information. John's tireless work on this project and has determination to see it through to the end bore testament to his energy and endurance, two traits closely associated with him throughout his life. The GAA was not the only organisation that benefited from John's involvement, within the community. The community council and Tidy Towns committee were very dear to his heart also and he gave unselfish time and effort to these two hugely important groups. A staunch member of Fine Gael, John was never shy in airing his views on any subject, political, sporting or otherwise and his passing has robbed us of one of life's gentlemen in the old-fashioned sense. To John's loving family, he was pre-deceased by his loving wife Margot, sons Donal and Eamonn, daughters Kathy and Valerie, his grand-children, relatives and many friends we extend our warmest and deepest sympathies. The Avondhu - 27th November 2008 Tweet

Most Read Stories