In fond memory of our departed friend John Hickey (R.I.P.), a White’s Cross Fifteen recently took on a Bus Éireann Fifteen at White’s Cross grounds. The White’s Cross side was made up of some of the many players that had played alongside John during his many years of dedicated service to White’s Cross, while the Bus Éireann side was made up of John’s former work colleagues.
John, along with his brothers Andrew and Tommy, were to many the faces of White’s Cross GAA Club for many years. His sudden death at the age of 54 years in September 2005 startled and saddened us all. Our memories of John are of his commitment and passion for sport – for many, many years this was given exclusively to White’s Cross GAA – although in later years he concentrated much of this energy towards cycling.
John gave many years of sterling service to White’s Cross GAA as a player and club officer. Under his chairmanship the Club undertook a complete draining and leveling of the grounds at Ballinvriskig. The Club had a great period of success at the beginning of the 1990’s, with John operating as full-back on both the football and hurling teams. He was a great leader on the field, full of encouragement and praise for those playing with him.
John will be remembered fondly in GAA circles, not alone in White’s Cross but right across the city and into the county. John had acted as Board Delegate for White’s Cross GAA for over 15 years right up to the mid-1990’s.
It is fitting then that John would be remembered for his sterling service to our Club and this game is now to be an annual event. In 2007 White’s Cross will seek to wrestle the cup off the Bus Éireann side as they had the upper hand in the recent clash, although a number of the White’s Cross lads questioned some refereeing decisions of an reiteoir Paul O’ Neill! Afterwards at a function in the Stirrup Bar, John’s wife Kathleen presented the cup to Bus Éireann captain Mick Dunne. Commemorative medals were also presented to all the players by White’s Cross president Dermot Whooley. White’s Cross GAA is most grateful to Bus Éireann who put forward the Perpetual Cup for this annual game.