1979 John O’Hare
A legendry Club figure, Castlewellan born John O’Hare was the first recipient of the Club’s highest honour when the Hall of Fame Award was first introduced as a new Club award in 1979. The Award is presented annually to a former or current club member who has carried out exemplary service to the Club in their lifetime or who had obtained outstanding achievements for Club or County during their playing career.It was fitting and appropriate that John would be the first recipient of this award. He was the first Castlewellan and Down player to be on a winning Ulster team in the Railway Cup when he was goalkeeper of the Ulster team which won their third Railway Cup by defeating Leinster 1.6 to 0.3 in the 1947 final played on March 17th at Croke Park. No Down players had been on the starting line-up of the Ulster teams that won in 1942 and 1943.
John, who was born in the first decade of the 20th century, was raised in Main Street, Castlewellan, where his father Pat owned a furniture, grocery and bar business. The business was later taken over by Peter Greenan in the late fifties/early sixties and today it is the premises of Mulholland’s Bar and lounge.
As a youngster growing up in Castlewellan in the late 1920s early 1930s John like many of his friends such as Tommy Steele and Pat Savage, would have played soccer, as Gaelic games had not then caught the imagination and interest of the youth of the town. Being an accomplished sportsman John played for Belfast Celtic and Portadown before turning to Gaelic football. By the time he had reached his mid-teens Gaelic had been firmly established in the area by such legendary Gaels as Master Cafferkey and Master O'Donoghue (father of the late Paddy O'Donoghue hall of fame 1987) who had come to Castlewellan from Counties ………. and Kerry to teach in local schools.
An outstanding Club player, John played at right half forward on the Castlewellan team which won the Senior Championship in 1934 and he also played on the team which claimed the title again in 1936 beating Mayobridge in the final in that year. John is also the proud holder of numerous Feis Sevens winners medals which he won with the town club in the 1930s/40s and one with St Mary’s Aughlisnafinn (the Finn) in 1938, after the town club folded for a couple of years. His skill made John a regular on the East Down Divisional team which regularly played teams from other areas and in May 1934 he was selected to play at midfield for the Down junior team against Antrim. The team went on to win the Ulster title with John scoring in the final. John was soon selected to play for the County senior team and was a regular for many years playing in various outfield positions before becoming keeper. This was the position he also claimed on the successful Ulster teams of 1947 and 1950 and on the team beaten in the Railway Cup final in 1948 by Munster.
John who was an accomplished athlete and he regularly won the high jump event at the sportdays which were a feature of the Gaelic calender then. In 1935 he won the competitions at Ballymartin, Kilkeel and Castlewellan and the following year he set a record of 6ft.4ins. at Downpatrick before winning the Ulster title at Newry on August 16th 1936.
Despite his many achievements in other sports, it will be, as keeper on the first Ulster team to win the Railway Cup that John will be remembered, as well as winning his second Railway Cup medal in 1950.
John was also a great Clubman winning two SFC medals with the Town. He also played his part in Club administration and held down the Secretary’s job in 1943 and 1944.
John’s contribution to Gaelic football was recognised by the East Down Board of the GAA when in 19.. he received their Hall of Fame Award becoming the first of only 3 "Town" recipients of this prestigious award. Despite the passage of time since John O’Hare wore the town jersey with pride and distinction, his achievements for Club and County remain an inspiration to the members of his former Club. It was therefore fitting and a source of great pride for the Club to learn that before his demise John had asked his family to ensure that he was wearing his Club tie on his final journey.
Members and officers of Naomh Maolmhoig Caislean A Mhuilinn CLG paid their final tribute to their former football star, Club Secretary and Club Hall of Fame recipient, John O’Hare by providing a guard of honour as his remains were carried to his final resting place at Bryansford cemetery on Sunday 3 February 2001.
Slán go foil a Séan
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