John played juvenile football with St Martin's GFC and won a Community Games medal. He was a member of the Drumree team that achieved Division 3 success in 1988 and, a decider later, was goalkeeper on the Drumree team which won the Meath JFC when defeating St Mary's in the county decider before going on to clinch the Leinster title at the expense of Ballyroan of Loais. 

John also served the Dunshaughlin parish club at administrative level and was secretary for several years. He was also a proud supporter of the Meath football team and was a keen racegoer. He was involved in setting up the Drumree Racing Club in 1995, which enjoyed successes with French Project and Honeyschoice in Ballinrobe. 

Later, John joined the Neighbours Racing Club which also proved to be very successful. This syndicate, based around Dunshaughlin and Drumree, saw Lights and Music winning at both Fairyhouse and Punchestown in teh same year. Its greatest triumph was undoubtedly the victory of More Rainbows in the Galway Hurdle in 2005, with Robbie