‘The bravest man I have ever known’

Tributes have poured for a popular young Clara man who died this week.

A stalwart of Clara GAA Club, John Buckley passed away on Wednesday after a brave battle against cancer.

Known to his many friends as 'Uncle Buck', John took over the family butcher business on the retirement of his father, the well known GAA refereee Carthage, a few years ago.

Born into a family steeped in the GAA and community, John's association with his club began at an early age. As an adult he distinguished himself on the pitch, captaining Clara from the position of goalkeeper to Offaly and Leinster Junior Championship titles in 1999, before going on to win senior county titles in 2003 and 2009.

He also contributed hugely to the club off the field coaching underage teams from a young age as well as being a member of the club's executive committee for over 20 years.

His standing in the GAA and wider community was reflected in the large number of people, including Clara's own sporting superstar Shane Lowry, who took part in a golf classic in Esker Hills last Christmas to raise funds for his treatment.

Diagnosed with cancer late last year, he bore his illness with great dignity and was inspiration to all who knew him.

In a moving tribute posted on Clara GAA Club's Facebook page, club secretary Pádraig O'Meara described John as “the bravest man I have ever known”.

"Clara GAA Club has been plunged into sadness as word spreads of the sad and untimely passing of John Buckley. John passed away after a short illness borne with great dignity and acceptance

“...John played in one of the most difficult positions on the football field in the goals, it takes certain characteristics to do this and John had them in abundance. Concentration, positioning, resilience, honestly, bravery, a touch of madness and most of all leadership. John was a natural leader and he led by example 'I can’t' 'I don’t want to' or 'it’s too hard' wasn’t in John’s vocabulary. He trained extremely hard collectively, but he trained many hours on his own as he was very self-driven and motivated to be the best, he possibly could be.

“John was more than generous with his time and was always willing to take up the sometimes thankless task of taking an underage team. He started coaching teams from a very young age, he coached from the club nursery, to the Br Urban league up to our adult teams. Known as 'Uncle Buck' he was adored and respected by all the kids he trained.

"John explained how the game should be played, never raising his voice always encouraging and looking at the bigger picture. John always thought of the club and the kids, it wasn’t about winning, it was all about participating and instilling the love of Gaelic games into all that he trained. He trained our under 15 footballers and led them to a semi-final this year.

“John was a qualified referee and was highly educated in coaching and strength and conditioning. He sat on the executive committee for over 20 years, he helped at the weekly lotto and bingo. John epitomised everything that was good about the club. He took to the stage at our Lip Sync fundraiser and put in a showman like performance which led him to help at the Clara Musical Society.

“John was a gentle, caring, fun loving, witty, kind, honest and dignified man. John was a gift to everybody that knew him. He was full of life and laughter, taken in his prime, but packed so much and made an impact on so many people in his short life. He fought his illness with ferocity because he wanted to survive for his loving family. John Buckley is the bravest man I have ever known.

"Clara GAA Club and our community has lost some great Gaels over the past number of years, but we are absolutely devastated and heart broken by the passing of our dear friend John."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family Carthage Sr, Margaret, Garrett & Wendy, Carthage Jr and his extended family and many friends."

Hundreds of people have left tributes to Mr Buckley on Clara GAA Club's facebook since his passing.

Mr Buckley is deeply regretted by his loving parents Catch and Mag, brothers Garret and Carthage, sister-in-law, nephew, uncles, aunts, cousins, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

He will be reposed at his parents' residence, 15 The Green, Clara, today Friday, December 13 and tomorrow Saturday, December 14 from 2pm until 8pm both days. Removal on Sunday morning to St Brigid's Church, Clara, arriving for Funeral Mass at 11.30am. Burial after Mass in the Monastery Cemetery, Clara.