The Late Jim McMahon Jim McMahon lived life at his own pace. He had a saying that summed up his attitude which went: "If you worry, you die. If you don't worry, you die. So why worry?" Anyone who encountered the Pallasgreen native and his relaxed outlook whether they met him collecting the admission price at Claguhan games or as he transported large teleporters for Davin Building -quickly grew to admire him for it. This popularity was evident in the size of the congregation at Jim's funeral mass in St John's Cathedral last week which was concelebrated by nine priests and attended by many friends from the communities of Pallasgreen and his adopted home of Garryowen. Born the second eldest of nine children in Emily in 1945, the youngest was known as 'Jim Peter' in his family home as there were three Jims living under the same roof at the time. The McMahons moved to Pallasgreen when Jim was still a child as his father took up the job of postman in the area, having spent many years of service in the army. As a child, Jim developed what would become a lifelong passion for hurling. Although his playing days didn't extend beyond his childhood, the fire for hurling still burned strong. Jim didn't miss one Championship game for Limerick over a period of 20 years, sometimes having his bacon and cabbage at 9am on the morning of a game for fear he wouldn't have the time later that day. While still living in Pallasgreen, Jim spent many years working for PJ Hayes in Dromkeen where his time was divided between operating the bingo in the Oyster Ballroom and working with agricultural machinery in the yard outside. In 1979, Jim married Caherconish native Margaret Leonard and the couple moved into Garryowen. At this time, Jim started what would be a 30 year association with Davin Building for whom he would drive teleporters around much of the country. Jim and Margaret went on to raise four children, Eileen, Michael, James and Anthony in their home in the city and when his sons became involved in Claughan GAA, Jim renewed his involvement with club hurling. He went on to hold many positions at the club but many will remember him best as the friendly man who collected the money at the gate. At Davin's, Jim was equally popular with staff and management and well known for his eagerness to speak about GAA. Kevin Cagney, of Davin's, this week said the former employee was as 'hard-working, honest and good a guy as you'd ever find". At the mass in St John's Cathedral, at which one of Jim's old Pallas neighbours Micheál O Riain sang, the congregation heard how him faith and always been important to him and Jim had made several trips to Lourdes in recent years. After the Requiem Mass, Jim was taken back to his childhood home of Pallasgreen for burial at St Columbus Cemetery. Jim is survived by his wife Margaret; children Eileen, Michael, James and Anthony; brothers, sisters, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews and nieces and many friends. Jim McMahon; born January 1945, died April 5 2009. Courtesy of the Limerick Leader 18th April 2009 By John Hogan Tweet

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