It was with great sadness that we recently received the news of the passing of John McGrath late of Orr Street, Kilmallock.
John passed away on the 20th February 2020 after a short illness. John hailed from Orr Street, Kilmallock and spent most of his working life in London.
John McGrath may have left Kilmallock in the 1950s, as a young man, to find work in England but his heart was always here and he followed the exploits of Kilmallock and Limerick hurling teams with true passion.
John McGrath wore the green and white of The Balbec many times at underage level and in 1955 he won a County Minor title.
This was, without doubt, one of John’s proudest days and he cherished the memory of this win for many years. He loved Kilmallock and to represent his club in a County Final was a dream come true.
John scored two goals in the South Final of 1955 against Bruree as Kilmallock made their way to the County Final and again in the final against Treaty Sarsfields the talented forward-line of the Balbec ran riot to win on a scoreline of 12-3 to 1-5. John McGrath hit the net three times as Kilmallock brought the County Minor Title home for the first time.
It was London’s gain and Kilmallock’s and Limerick’s loss when John McGrath was forced to emigrate the following year.
To John’s family and many friends we would like to extend our condolences at this difficult time.
John McGrath (far right) at ‘The Gathering’ in Kilmallock 2013
He was a lovely man , you can take the man from Ireland but never take Ireland from the man ,it was a credit to be called a Kilmallock man..God bless you John, From the Foster family xx