John Burke – A Tribute
It was with great sadness that members of the Milltown/Castlemaine GAA club learned of the sudden death of club stalwart and current President John Burke.
Coming from a footballing stronghold of Ballygamboon Lower, Castlemaine, that also included his brothers Jim and Willie (RIP), John was a powerful footballer who represented Milltown/ Castlemaine, Mid Kerry, South Kerry and Kerry with distinction.
Winning Mid Kerry Championships in 1957, 61 and 62 brought John to the attention of the Kerry set up and he played with both the Kerry seniors and Kerry juniors in the early 60’s.
His work in the Dept. of Agriculture brought him to Mayo and South Kerry before he settled in Rathpook, Milltown and after his playing days finished, he took to the clubs administration side.
Long before Executives existed, John WAS the executive and as chairman he oversaw the club capture its first county title, when they won the County Novice in 1979.
He also selected many a team at every level and was a great advocate of local talent. A tireless worker for the club, his knowledge and experience helped mould many a future officer and trainer.
John served in administration from the 70’s and was Secretary until the early 2000’s (or the advent of the email, whichever came first!!).
While current restrictions in these strange and challenging times forbid us to say our last farewell in an appropriate manner fitting to a great clubman, be assured we are all with you in your grief.
To John’s wife Frances, his sons Liam, Sean & Seamus; daughters Maura, Siobhán, Noirín & Deirdre; brother Jim, sister Nora and all his relations and friends, the club extends its deepest sympathies.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam.
RADIO KERRY:
On Sunday last, Radio Kerry on their weekly club slot, featured Milltown/Castlemaine. Our club secretary, Mike Carroll, gave a fantastic overview of the club. It is well worth a listen- https://www.radiokerry.ie/gaa-club-community-2/. Well Done Mike
FIVE ACTIONS FOR WELLBEING DURING TOUGH TIMES
In these challenging times, we are all looking for suggestions on simple actions we can take to maintain positive wellbeing and protect our mental health. Log on to Mental Health Irelands’ link (below) for five simple actions we can take to help protect our mental health and maintain positive wellbeing during uncertain and challenging times. https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/five-ways-tough-times
MILE BUIOCHAS AGUS FAN SA BHAILE.
All in our community are so grateful to all the frontline staff for their tremendous work during the Civid-19 crisis. We are especially proud of all those from our very own club who risk their lives every day to provide the necessary services and ensure the sick and vulnerable get the best possible care.
A retired teacher, Kitty O’Meara, from the city of Madison, in Wisconsin, turned to writing in an effort to curb her own anxiety amid the news of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is her prose poem-offering hope that something good can come out of this collective state of “together, apart.”
‘And the people stayed home’
And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised and made art, and played games and learned new ways of being and were still.
And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.’
Stay safe everybody.
