Kiltimagh farewell to legendary Mayo supporter John Regan
Legendary GAA supporter was delighted to get to hold Sam Maguire recently after Mayo’s famous victory in Croke Park on July 26
THE final whistle blew last week for the great John Regan from Kiltimagh, one of Mayo GAA's most legendary supporters over the decades. The news of his passing in Castlebar Hospital evoked a special sense of sadness around Kiltimagh and in GAA circles around Mayo and further afield.
Wherever he went, John Regan (he always gave himself the full title!) made an impression. From Kiltimagh to London, Croke Park to Manchester, and a myriad of places around the country and overseas, it did not take him long to be the centre of attraction.
Thousands of Mayo people have been featured holding the Sam Maguire Cup over the last few weeks but to see John Regan from Kiltimagh with the cup was truly a sight to behold. His brother, Tommy, speaking at the end of the funerak Mass on Saturday told the congregation that John Regan often said he would die happy if Mayo won 'Sam' and that it was remarkable that it had come to pass. “He was so delighted to hold the Sam Maguire Cup when they brought it to Kiltimagh some weeks ago. He was such a loyal follower down through the years.”
John went to England in the mid-1960s and spent thirteen years in London. He became an avid supporter of Manchester United and, during one season, he attended every one of their league games. A photo of himself and George Best was among the many cherished sporting memorabilia that he had on display in the family home at Bohola Road, Kiltimagh.
John decided to cross the Irish Sea to attend the All-Ireland Minor Final in Croke Park in 1978 when Mayo came from six points down with ten minutes to play to record a sensational victory over Dublin on a scoreline of 4-10 to 3-9.
Making it extra special for John was the fact that Big Tom Byrne from Kiltimagh, who was brought on as a sub during the second half, scored two goals in the last few minutes to see Mayo triumph in one of the truly classic minor finals in GAA history. He was also thrilled to see Charlie Gilmartin and Andrew McNicholas being part of that All-Ireland winning team and featuring on the day.
Home to Kiltimagh
That was the week that John made the decision to relocate from London home to Kiltimagh. He opened his own hair salon in the home place and quickly established a loyal clientele. The great sporting stories of the day and former times were discussed in great detail and patrons soon got to know that they should never be in a rush when they dropped in. Yes indeed, John Regan may have to check on his dinner cooking inside and might forget he had a customer halfway through a haircut in the next room!
In the early 1980s, John thumbed from Kiltimagh all the way to Dublin to support the Mayo hurlers in a Division 3 or 4 League final against Louth. “I arrived in Croke Park with about eight minutes left in the game. The Henrys and Johnny Cunnane from Tooreen were on that team. But that’s John Regan for you. Whoever wears the red and green jersey of Mayo gets his support.
“Yes indeed, Mayo is deeply-bred in John Regan. I hope to live to see the day Mayo will bring the Sam Maguire Cup back to Mayo.
“I have great admiration for the lads who give so much commitment. Yes, it is disappointing when they lose but we must realise how disappointing it is for the players who put in such efforts, all the hard slogging in all kinds of weather. I have more admiration for the lads that play for no pay than for those who do in other sports. They give people so much enjoyment,” he said in an extensive interview with The Mayo News some years ago.
Mayo jersey
Reposing was in O’Hora’s Funeral on Friday evening where John was laid out in his Mayo jersey and with a Kiltimagh flag draped on the coffin.
Members of Kiltimagh GAA Club and the community formed a guard of honour as the hearse, driven by his good friends, PJ Cronin, moved slowly along Main Street to Kiltimagh Church, past premises and homes that were such a part of the life of John Regan including ‘Mrs Johnson’s Shop’ where he often waited for the provincial newspapers to arrive in town.
Fr Michael Quinn, PP, was the chief celebrant at the Mass on Saturday morning, assisted by Fr Pat Lynch and Deacon Martin Lynch.
Tommy Regan, Swinford, recalled some special memories of his brother in a warm and engaging tribute that brought smiles to many in the congregation. A poignant rendition of 'The Boys From The County Mayo' was played earlier in the ceremony.
On a day when the Mayo flags were still flying and the misty rain and winds swept over the mountain, John was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery, Kiltimagh.
The curtains had finally come down for the man who loved to entertain people at home and abroad with 'There’s Divil A Town In Ireland Like the Town of Kiltimagh' and also the 'Three Pubs In Bohola'. The memories will live on and John Regan will still bring a smile to the hearts of all who knew him. Yes indeed!
John, who was predeceased by his parents Matthew and Mary Ellen Regan, his sister Maureen and brother Michael, will be sadly missed by his brother Tommy, sister Katherina, sister-in-law Ann, brothers-in-law Hessam and Fred, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Another quote from his Mayo News interview: “It’s still the same buzz. It’s worse I’ve got as I’m getting older. When John Regan goes, God bless him, I don’t know who will take his place!”