The heartache felt by many in White’s Cross GAA of losing the Junior A Football Divisional Final at the start of September was quickly and sharply put into perspective by the untimely death six days later of John Hickey (R.I.P.). 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 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 recent times he concentrated much of this energy towards cycling.
Many of us would meet John from time to time in recent years, and whether it be walking briskly with stick in hand, or whizzing by on his bicycle, or driving for Bus Eireann, he always stopped to enquire regarding the latest goings on in White’s Cross GAA. One always welcomed these meetings because John was always a pleasure to talk to – happy, cheerful and good-humoured… a true gentleman.
In recent years John had devoted himself to charity work on behave of ACT – the Aid Cancer Treatment charity that raised funds for Cork University Hospital. For this he engaged in frequent charity cycle runs and was looking forward to the annual cycle from Cork to Castletownbere..
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. Donal O’ Connor, Secretary of the Seandun Divisional Board, spoke glowingly of John at a recent board meeting.
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 its greatest 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. However to his opponent he would have been tough, committed, fair but cunning, as even in his later days he had an ability to read a situation ensuring that he won that ball…
He illustrated those similar traits as a selector and through words of constant praise always got the best out of his players. His natural leadership qualities ensured that for many years he was a popular choice at AGM time to take over coaching the Junior team, but John always refrained from the task, feeling that because of his shift-work he would be unable to give it the necessary time. Committed…
White’s Cross GAA is, and will always be, a better Club for having had John Hickey involved. To his wife Kathleen, his son Derek and daughters, Karen and Gillian, grandchildren Kelly and PJ, brothers Andrew and Tommy, sister Nora, his extended family, his colleagues at Bus Éireann, and his large circle of friends, White’s Cross GAA extends our deepest sympathies. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.