John Clifford RIP 11th July 1939 - 27th July 2013

'Grant me O'Lord a hurler's skill
With strength of arm and speed of limb
Unerring eye for the flying ball
And courage to match what're befall
May my stroke be speedy and my aim be true
My actions manly and my misses few;
No matter what way the game may go
May I rest in friendship with every foe
And when the final whistle for me has blown
And I stand at last before God's judgment throne,
May the great referee when he calls my name
Say, you hurled like a man, you played the game'

John joined St Brendan's at Brooklands in 1967.
He was affectionately known as Corkie.
John's training methods and skill had an immediate impact at St Brendan's.
Having played Gaelic football, hurling and basketball at the highest level,
John's coaching methods were years ahead of those of his peers.

John was influenced greatly by his own coach, a no nonsense army trainer Dr. Eamonn Young.
Before games John used a blackboard to set out each players' tasks and instruct them on what to do.
Chris Connolly could scarcely believe his elevation from corner forward to the half back line under John.
When he queried John about this tactic he had the importance of deploying a fit player
to counteract key opponents explained to him.

With John's advice ringing in his ears Noel Hickey positioned himself
in a similar roving role in his first hurling final.
Noel's running ability compensated for any lack of hurling skill.

John's coaching transcended the codes.
Along with leading St Brendan's to several Senior Championships
and leagues in the Clubs most successful ever period he steered the Gunners,
a pseudonym used by St Brendan's,
to win Division One of the Manchester City League and The Roy Clarke Cup.

John was a devoted clubman who knew the workings of the association inside out.
His own dad had been Secretary of the Douglas club in Cork. Skilfully
John would note players that were late for training and those not brining the correct gear to matches.

When John dropped them a fixture list he would note these indiscretions
and advise them against any lack of interest that may jeopardise their place on the team.
He always signed the notes "Michael Mangan Club Secretary".
He relished the fact that he embellished Michael's reputation to the
"All Seeing, All Knowing Secretary",
while the players were none the wiser as to who was actually watching them.

John was always generous in his praise of Michael as Club secretary.
They worked together for the Green Murphy.
Indeed so much GAA business was conducted at work that John often mused how any
North Sea gas pipeline got built in Lancashire.


50 years of St Brendan's Manchester is full of glowing tributes to John's ability to motivate men.
I quote from Tadgh Meehan's entry to the book
"He was a brilliant player and coach.
He could get the best out of the players.
He knew a players strength and weakness and the lesser talented ones.
John would build them up in his team talk and make them believe they were brilliant."

John joined his fellow Cork man, Noel McLean, at Sean McDermott's GAA in Birmingham where they were equally pleased with his services.

Indeed when John's tactics paid dividends on the field of play as they so often did,
or when his beloved Rebels won another big game John would pay tribute in his own characteristic way

"For ramblin', for rovin', for football' or courtin'
For drinkin' black porter as fast as you'd fill
In all your days rovin' you'll find none so jovial
As our Muskerry sportsman, the bould Thady Quill"

May you rest in peace John.

Kieran Gleeeson, Vice Chairman St Brendan's GAA, Manchester

Requiem Mass took place in St John's Church, Chorlton, Manchester.
On Friday 9th August 2013. Tweet

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