The Late Father John Nyhan It was with profound regret and sadness we learned of the untimely death of Fr. John Nyhan, a member of the Columban Order and a native of Kilkenny City. He began his early education at St. John of God Convent School, Christian Brothers School and St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny. In 1959, he entered Dalgan Park Seminary Navan, and in 1965 was ordained a priest. The following summer the departed for the mission fields of South Korea. He worked for many years in the diocese of Chunch on and in later years in the Archdiocese of Seoul, capital of South Korea. A tireless and dedicated priest, he was devoted to his calling and always showed exemplary discipline in every day life. Fr. John was loved and admired by all who had the privilege of making his acquaintance. Indeed, this feeling was very much in evidence at the memorial Masses, especially in Dalgan Park and again in Kilkenny when a large circle of friends and relations from the Kenneigh, Dunmanway and Ballinascarthy areas made the long journeys. There was also a large turnout for the memorial Mass in Castletownkenneigh where he used to celebrate Mass when on holidays from South Korea. In fact, Fr. John was a pretty, regular visitor to the Aherlick, Kenneigh and Ballinascarthy homesteads in his younger days. His late father, Denis Nyhan, was born and reared in Kenneigh and departed from there as a young man to take up employment in Kilkenny City. Fr. John has an aunt sill hale and hearty, Mrs Shelia O'Sullivan, living near Coppeen and of course many relations too numerous to mention. The connection with Ballinascarthy was with his late aunt, Mrs. Mary Nyhan, Lisnacunna, where he enjoyed many happy summer visits. Apart from deep interest in all things farming, he liked nothing better that to get a hurley and ball in hand and issue a silent challenge to the country cousins, "Come and get it." At an early age he showed exceptional skill in hurling, which did not go unnoticed by shrewd Kilkenny scouts. In that bastion of Kilkenny hurling, St. Kieran's College, his classmate was none other than Kilkenny legend, Eddie Keher, who recalled that during every free moment off class both of them would be out on the playing field practising free taking, ground shots and every other move which is inherent in our ancient and glorious game. All the practice was to prove fruitful and soon he was an automatic choice on St. Kieran's College team with whom he won his first All-Ireland Colleges medal. Soon after he progressed to wearing the Black and Amber of his native Kilkenny. In 1959 he was a member of the Kilkenny minor hurling team, again playing alongside his great friend Eddie Keher. They advanced to an All-Ireland showdown with arch rivals Tipperary. It is worth noting that in the Leinster final of 1959 against Wexford, John was appointed free taker in the absence of an indisposed Eddie Keher, scoring three goals and four points,and so on to All-Ireland final day. Playing his heart out in a pulsating final, Kilkenny one point up with one minute to go before they conceded a 45 which was crashed to the net. Tippeary were crowned All-Ireland champions. 1960 saw him back again having another tilt as securing that elusive All-Ireland minor medal. Time was running out for John Nyhan. He knew this would be the last time he would touch the green sward of Croke Park or wear the Black and Amber on All-Ireland day, or any other day for that matter. Serious studies were looming large on the horizon and those studies would not entail his beloved game of hurling. Marching proudly around Croke Park with a quiet determination etched on a serious and focused expression, shoulder to shoulder with an all too familiar foe, Tipperary once again. Turning to his opponent he asked. "Were you on last year's winning team." The reply was "Yes." John replied. "Then you won't be too upset when I collect my medal today." At the final whistle Kilkenny were the new All-Ireland champions. He had his All-Ireland medal. Sitting in the Hogan Stand was a proud father, Denis Nyhan. Always a staunch Cork supporter on the big day, until they clashed with Kilkenny that is. Then he became a slightly confused Cork supporter. On hearing the final whistle blow he launched a perfectly new hat into orbit and same was never seen again, but what's a new hat, hadn't he the best excuse in the world to go back to West Cork and show his kinfolk what a Kilkenny All-Ireland medal looked like and the offspring who made it possible. In 1966 the time had come to leave the green fields of Ireland and begin a new life as a missionary priest in South Korea, where he lived and worked all his adult life. Amongst his few worldly possessions carefully packed for the long journey ahead was his deadly accurate caman and sliotar. In his early years as a missionary priest, he was allowed home once in every seven years. I can recall attending Mass in Kilkenny celebrated by Fr John where he has a slight problem with the English language. This of course was due to becoming so integrated with his parishioners, their language, their way of life, in joy and in sorrow. Fr. John was responsible for the building of three churches and an old folks home. Quite a legacy by any standards, but he would be the last to mention his achievements. He went about his priestly work, just as he did on the field of play, with well thought out plans, bringing everyone along with him and leaving the results speak for themselves. The results speak volumes. Archbishop Cheong commented on the extraordinary large gathering of youth at the all night vigil in the Cathedral crypt in Seoul. A definite sign of a successful priestly life. He now lies in a cemetery on a hill near a town called Yongin, a long, long way from his native Kilkenny and West Cork from which he departed all of thirty six years ago. Would he prefer to be buried at home? I have no doubt as to what his reply would be. "Am I not buried at home"? "Am I not amongst my own people"? And knowing Fr. John, who would dare argue against him. We send our deepest sympathy to his brother Con, sister Bryde, sister-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Noel, aunt Mrs Sheila O'Sullivan, nephews, nieces and cousins. Ár dheis De go raibh a anam dilis Courtesy of the Southern Star By J. Calnan March 2003 Tweet

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