The Late Johnny O'Grady, Ardclough On the 11th of November 2005, Johnny O'Grady passed away peacefully at home and with his passing went a host of great memories and achievements over a long life. It was a particularly sad day for Ardclough GAA Clubs as Johnny was the last of our founding fathers, and also current president. A lifetime of devotion to the GAA began on an August day in 1936 when along with Mick Treacy and Dan Graham, they met in Mick Treacy's workshop at 13 Lock Lyons and decided to have a trial period as a club under Johnny. In January 1937 they held their first AGM and had collected 26.00 pounds - supporters by a 3 penny a week collection and 6 pence at the end of each month. With Johnny as Secretary, Mick as Chairman and Dan as Elvery's in Dublin bought a set of Jerseys, socks and shirts. The first colours were green with white collar and cuffs. In the years that followed to the present day, the club has gone from strength to strength in football and hurling. They reached football peak in 1949 with victory in the Senior Football Championship and have won at all grades on both codes since. Johnny, as Secretary form 1936 to 1962, and Treasurer, from 1962 to 1999, also presided over all the milestones the club has reached i.e. the old hall built in 1940, the social centre in 1976, the sports centre in 1991 and it was very gratifying for the club that Johnny could attend in 17 May 2003, when we opened our new club centre. It is difficult to put a lifetime of dedication in such a short space, but the fact that Johnny was County Board Delegate for thirty-seven years, many of those early meetings attended by cycling to Newbridge after a day's work, says it all. The GAA today surely is in debt to men and women of Johnny's time. I hope that the club in Ardclough will always take a guide from Johnny's great dedication to the cause. His contribution to the community was recognised by the higher Papal honour of Bene Merente, which he proudly cherished. To conclude, I have no doubt that the 'Three Fathers' have already had a meeting and who knows what they have planned for the future in Ardclough. Sincere sympathy to Maureen, Kieran, Geraldine and Miriam and extended family, from all in Ardclough GAA Club. Sonas Siorai, Johnny. Liam O Cuilinn Courtesy of Leinster Lecader 1 December 2005 Tweet

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