The death occurred of John Bergin (snr), Grallagh, Horse and Jockey, at Woodside Nursing Home, Killusty after a long illness. John was in his mid 80's and was well known in GAA and ploughing circles. Born around the time that hurling was vibrant in the area, John soon became involved and as a student in Cashel Vocational Schools hurling title of that year. But an injury soon afterwards curtailed his hurling career. His love for the GAA was inherited from his uncle, Ned Croke a member of the Horse and Jockey hurling team of the last century and a substitute on the Tipperary All-Ireland senior hurling of 1916. But he continued his interest in the sport as an administrator, committee man and selector. He was much to the fore in the Laffansbridge-Ballinure area when junior club known as New Tipperary Rangers was formed. John was a selector with the team and also their Mid-board delegate. In 1948 the club won the Mid Tipperary No. 2 junior hurling championship and graduated to No.1 ranks. They were narrowly beaten in those years by club that went on to win the county Tipperary No. 1 finals. But the end for Rangers came when the Co. Board ruled that Rangers could not play in Mid Tipperary as there was a senior club in the Killenaule parish as most of their members resided in that parish. In the 1960's, when the one club to rural parishes rule came into operation John got involved in the Moycarkey-Borris senior club and gave 16 years as a mentor and committee member. In the 1980's he again was elected on the club committee and later was appointed a vice-president of the club. He was a selector in 1962 when Moycarkey-Borris reached the county senior hurling final only to lose narrowly to the great Sarsfields side of that era. He as a selector with other successful teams. In later years he took pride in the achievements of his sons all of whom played with the successful Moycarkey-Borris teams and he took special pride when his son jack led Moycarkey-Borris to County and Munster senior hurling championships in 1982 and again when jack captained the county winning team of 1984, the centenary final. Jack was captain of the Tipperary team in 1985 while Liam had the same honour in 1983. In more recent time he took great satisfaction in seeing his grandchildren also reach county status, and one, Joe who played on the Galway, All-Ireland winning senior football team. Away form the GAA arena John Bergin was a champion ploughman both with horses and tractors. He won individual All-Ireland ploughing championships and also team titles. A great sportsman, he will be remembered for this contribution at committee meetings and his selectorial skills with the team on the playing fields. His contribution to the GAA and ploughing will not be forgotten. John, beloved husband of the late Bridget and father of the late Bernie; deeply regretted by his sons, daughters, brother Jim, sister Joan (Heffernan), sons-in-law, daughters in law, grand-children, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Funeral Mass was in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Dualla and interment was afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star. 29 September, 2007. Tweet

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