The late Mr John Callan The death took place suddenly, on July 19th at the age of 92, at his residence in Shanvalleyard, Tourmakeady, of Mr John Callan. John had a great love of the GAA, and he was President of Tourmakeady GAA Club and delivered his last speech only two weeks previously at McHale Park, Castlebar, before the championship game. Born in Malaclune in Co. Monaghan, John played under 14 football with Monaghan, cycled to and from Croke Park and attended over sixty All-Ireland Finals. Having lived in England for many years, John and his Tourmakeady-born wife, Kate Lally, retired to Shanvalleyard, overlooking Lough Mask. He spent many hours fishing. At the age of 67 he took over the Tourmakeady team, who had never won anything, and right from the start he began a new system of training. Winter training in Tourmakeady Hall yielded results. In 1976/1977 Tourmakeady won the West Mayo League Kelly Cup, the county seven-a-side, and in 1979 Tourmakeady toured the US, returning on August 28th to win the West Mayo Junior title for the first time ever. He believed that everyone should have great pride in the jersey of their parish. John did great work for Tourmakeady GAA club. His views were heard in meeting rooms and grounds from Achill to Ardnaree and Belmullet to Clonbur. Little wonder the Tourmakeady flag draped his coffin and players, past and present, formed a guard of honour on both days. Sympathy is extended to his wife Cait, and extended family on John's death. His remains were removed from St. Mary's Funeral Home on Tuesday to Tourmakeady Church, where they were received by An tAth. Pádraig Ó'Standúin, C.C., Tourmakeady. Burial took place on Wednesday after 12 noon mass, celebrated by an tAth. Ó'Standúin, Tourmakeady, assisted by Fr Desmond Grogan, P.P. Partry. Readings were by the Lally family, relatives of the Callan family, and a farewell song was sung, as Gaeilge, by Tomás Ó Máille. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. Courtesy of the Mayo News August 2004 Tweet

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