John Clarke, a N.Y. Minor Board stalwart, is dead

John Clarke, long a leader of the New York GAA Minor Board, passed away peacefully in Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut Monday morning.

An outstanding footballer, John played minor, junior and senior with Meath, winning an All-Ireland championship in 1954. Moving to London, he played with the Garryowen club. In 1956, he played with London in the All-Ireland junior final against Monaghan.

In 1957, John married Bridget McGovern of Kells, Co. Meath, in London. Immigrating to the U.S. in 1959, he became a playing member of the Sligo Football Club. The early 1960s saw John anchor the New York fullback line with many of the all-time greats of that era.

Following his retirement in 1968 from the game, he became active in underage Gaelic football with the Rangers Football Club.

"He left a giant footprint in our games here," said Mike Keane, the president of the New York Minor Board. "His achievements the past 20 years with our New York U-18 teams in international competition, plus our able Central Council delegate to Congress, has left us a legacy that is priceless. His contribution has been immense. Unquestionably, John Clarke was one of the great GAA men of our time. We are all the poorer with his passing."