Johnny Carey
Kilmallock GAA would like to offer deepest condolences to the family of the late Johnny Carey. Johnny passed away on 30th March 2015. Born on 19th July 1940, Johhny was the eldest of four children born to the late Jackie and Mary Carey. Born on “The Hill” of Kilmallock the family soon moved to what is their present home in Garrynoe.
After leaving school Johnny worked for Paddy O’Connell on his farm in Ballycullane. In 1960, like many people of that era, he took the boat to London. His great friend Teddy Ryan (The Pike) helped him to get a job and accommodation. He spent 26 years working in London and for 20 of those years he was with London Transport.
Johnny returned home in 1985 and got a job with Bombardi in Shannon, where he worked until he retired.
We in Kilmallock club will always remember Johnny Carey as a great underage hurler. When we won our first County Minor title in 1955 Johnny, though still only 15 years old ,was a teak-tough corner-back. In true family tradition he was a hard man to play on and if you did get a score you earned it. The highlight of his career was winning the Conty Final when we beat Treaty Sarsfield in Kilmallock. This was the start of a golden era for our club. When Johnny was asked, years later, what he did to celebrate the win he said “I had a drink of water from the fountain in Garryowen (Sheares Street) and then home to the Hill”.
Johhny Carey was also a noted cross-country runner with Kilmallock AC. He wom many Team Titles with the club. One day during a race in Tournafulla he received a bad cut on his foot but still finished the race. When asked why he did not stop he answered “I kept going because I didn’t want to let my team down”. This will tell you of the pride he had in his jersey and the love he had for his team.
Johnny thanks for what you did for us on the playing fields and we treasure the memories.
Good luck Old Pal.
The 1955 County Minor winning team was :
Tommy Hanley, Johnny Carey, Charlie O’Grady, Cal O’Donnell, Paddy Hickey, Dick Delea, Paddy O’Brien, Mick Treacy, Peter Kenny, Mike Heffernan, Vincent Cusack, Bill Canty, Pat O’Rourke, John McGrath, Larry Donovan.
Lovely tribute to Johnny, a wonderful hurler in his youth. Also a great handball player. We were life long friends.
I’m glad you mentioned the cross country running. That was so much fun, I think the only runners who were
serious about it were Tommy Hanley God rest him and Dasher Cronin.
The years in London before I came to America in ’63 were good times, We were at every Irish dance hall where
Johnny could always end dancing with the cutest girl in the hall. When Kathleen and I got married on March 30th ’63 Johnny was at our wedding. Sadly he passed away on our anniversary
Hi Tommy, I just learned from Marcella O Mahony that you are the son
of my old friend Billy, God rest him. A few years ago your Dad, Johnny and I
had a drink together at Brian Slavin’s pub.