O'Mahony, Patrick
May 07, 2011When Patrick O'Mahony of Farranthomas, founding father of Newcestown GAA Club, went to his eternal reward on January 18th 2011, he left behind a lasting legacy of a labour of love for his beloved Newcestown GAA Club, of which he became its first chairman at the inaugural meeting on December 17th 1958, having earlier been chairman of the 'mother club', St John's from 1949. Thus, Patrick became the connecting link in the chain which binds the present day club, with all the groups which organised Gaelic Games in the parish back to and prior to 1884.
Patrick O'Mahony was not a big man but he is a colossus in the annals of Newcestown GAA. His gentle smile and quiet demeanour hid a steely character and he never wavered from what he considered the right and proper course of action. He had a habit of waving his forefinger to drive home a point. It was in a similar mode that Patrick waved that imposing finger to a bunch of lads he had been watching playing football in a field owned by Dennis O'Mahony, father of Newcestown is long serving and renowned club secretary, Jimmy O'Mahony, on an April evening in 1958.
Afterwards Patrick addressed the players in Richie and Ellen Collins new shop- "Listen to me here now lads, ye're no the only players around, there is a world of young fellas like ye throughout the parish and they're also playing with outside clubs. Why don't ye get together and form a team of your own?. These proved to be profound words.
As the year 1958 wore on Patrick continued to prompt, urge, encourage and advise, all of which led to the process which ultimately led to the holding of the inaugural meeting of the club. No doubt it was Patrick who struck the match which lit the fire that was awaiting to be kindled.
At that historic meeting, Patrick, after much persuasion accepted the role of Chairman, and the following were also elected. Vice-Chairman, Dan Joe Collins, Sean Collins, NT Newcestown; secretary, Jerry O'Sullivan NT Mount Pleasant; treasurer, with a committee of Timmy Ryan, Sonny Foley, Christy Lordan, Donal Cahalane, Corney O'Mahony, John O'Sullivan and later Neilus Collins, Donal Walsh, Denis Cronin, Owen O'Sullivan, NT Mawbeg, Charlie Foley and Ger Kehilly.
The following year these minors won a notable double. In 1960, they won the West Cork in both hurling and football. The first decision taken was the re-formation of St. John's Club, but as this name and St Martin's were already used by other clubs in the county, it was finally decided to simply call the club Newcestown A junior B football team, and minor teams "Na Fianna' were entered in the South-West Championships. The club colours of red and gold stripes were selected and remain to the present day.
Patrick played football with St. John's from 1947 to '50 and was Newcestown club chairman from 1959-62 and 1965 to 1966.He also served on many Newcestown selection committees from 1959 to the late 80's, from senior down to U15's including three county winning teams, junior football 1967, intermediate football 1971, junior hurling 1972, South-West junior B football and minor hurling and football 1960; minor hurling 1961; and his leadership again, surfaced at the 1961 AGM, when he proposed that the club upgrade to junior A hurling.
He was a member of the grounds committee of the which brought and developed the present playing field (now St. John's Park). He built the main entrance pillars, did all that masonary work and was involved in the drainage of the pitch. He took time off from is job as a mason to get this work done and never accepted remuneration for any work done for the club.
Patrick was born in Mavmore, in the southern end of the parish. Soon after his mother's death, when he was two and a half years old, he came to live with his mother's family, the O'Regans at Farranthomas, where he lived until he went to Care Choice Nursing Home in Macroom in February 2009.
He could hardly be described physically as a big man, but in character and demeanour he was a gentle giant. he was revered and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His love for and his commitment and decidation to Newcestown and its GAA Clubs knew no bounds and the community will be poorer for his passing.
At his funeral mass, resting on his coffin was the photo which showed the real Patrick as well all remember him, sitting on his chair at Care Choice Retirement Home and looking us straight in the eye, with a quite smile and raised finger as if to say "Keep up the good work".
Patrick, while our games are played in St John's Park, your memory will be revered as the father of Cumann Iomaniochta agus Peile Bhaile Nuis. Slan leat agus Bennacht De ort, a Phadraig. Go ndearna Dia trocaire ar do anam uasal Gaelach.
May the soil of Newcestown rest lightly on you and may your noble, gentle, Irish soul rest in peace.
- SOM
Courtesy of the Southern Star
7th May 2011 Tweet
