The Monaghan GAA community was greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of John Heaphey on Monday 1st May 2023 while on holiday in Lanzarote.
John, a native of Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, came to teach at the Vocational School on Monaghan’s Glen Road in September 1966. The school became Beech Hill College on a new site in 1979 and John would later serve as Principal from 2000 to 2008.
On arrival in Monaghan, John immediately transferred his GAA allegiance to the Monaghan Harps club, where he was elected to the position of Club Secretary in 1969 and continued playing well into the 1970s. The efficiency and attention to detail that was evident as club Secretary was to be the mark of his lifelong work in the GAA and in his professional career in education.
In the late 1970s, John was appointed the first secretary of the newly established County Fixtures Committee. The committee created a fixtures programme for the full playing year, a development that was ground-breaking at the time and provided a template for Monaghan and other counties. As well as overseeing fixtures, venues, and referee appointments, John added to his workload by officiating as a referee.
In 1989 John was elected to the position of County PRO, before being chosen as County Secretary at Annual Convention in December 1990. For the next nine years, he administered Monaghan GAA affairs with efficiency and integrity and enhanced his reputation as an outstanding administrator.
In 2000, John replaced the new GAA President, Sean McCague, as Monaghan’s delegate to Central Council, representing the county until 2006. In this period, he also served on various national committees including the Games Administration Committee (now CCCC). On his retirement from Central Council and the County Committee, he continued to serve on several sub-committees bringing the same high level of expertise and commitment and a passion for ensuring that high standards always prevailed within the GAA.
To his wife Gerardine, sons Colin, Alan and Orin and daughter-in- law Sarah, CLG Coiste Chontae Mhuineacháin offers its deepest sympathy.
Funeral arrangement are as follows – Click Here
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.
By Majella Boyd Fri 5th May
