Derrylaughan: Our club has lost a legend

DERRYLAUGHAN have paid a glowing tribute to club icon John McCann, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 88 surrounded by his loving family.

Mr McCann was devoted to all matters Derrylaughan GAA since his boyhood when the club was formed, first as a player and subsequently as a successful coach and respected administrator. He remained involved with the club right until his passing, serving as the Kevin Barry’s Honorary President since 2018.

John played in the Tyrone Senior Championship final of 1957 alongside his brother Mick as captain, while injury ruled him out of playing in the late sixties at the end of the team’s long battle to win the championship, competing in five out of six finals in a row.

He served on the club commitee across various spells including two stints as chairman and he excelled in leading the club youth almost single-handedly from around 1971 to the late 1980s.

Paying tribute to his ceaseless efforts and expressing condolences to his family in an officially released statement on behalf of the club, Derrylaughan said: