By Dan Walsh
Many fine tributes have been paid to John ‘Johnny’ Martin, ‘Allenrue’, Wilton, Bree, Enniscorthy, who was laid to rest in Bree Cemetery on Wednesday following Requiem Mass in Bree Church in a moving ceremony carried out in accordance with government guidelines regarding public gatherings.
Johnny was a highly respected member of the community with a devoted interest in the welfare of his family and passionate about sport, especially GAA and horse racing.
A native of Knockduff, he married his wife of over 60 years, Kathleen (nee Carr) from Cooltigue, and they set up home and raised a family at Wilton. They never left their native parish of Bree.
Most of Johnny’s working life was with the ESB in the Enniscorthy district until he had an unfortunate accident in 1987 that forced him into retirement. Fortunately, he made a full recovery.
He was a football player of note in his younger days. Johnny Martin was once described as “a good club midfielder who could jump like a stag twist and turn like an eel”
His inter-county football career commenced in 1954 when he was selected on the Wexford junior team that lost to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final. He played with the Wexford senior team in tournaments and the league against such great teams of the time from Kerry, Meath and Louth.
But the highlights of Johnny’s distinguished career were with his native Ballyhogue winning two junior championship medals and three county senior football titles between 1955 and 1964.
Records say that his ‘finest hour’ in the Ballyhogue jersey was against Wexford Sarsfield in the 1962 county final. “His fielding and positional play were brilliant, his distribution excellent, and his determination inspiring.”
Long after his retirement from the playing fields in 1965, Johnny’s passion for football as a spectator was unrivalled and mourners in Bree Church were informed that he “only missed two All-Ireland Senior Football finals in almost 70 years.”
Deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing family. Beloved husband of Kathleen and dearly loved father of P.J, Anne and Sean. Predeceased by his son-in-law Paul. Sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughter, Sean’s wife Majella, P. J’s partner Clarissa, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Pat, all the Martin family, relatives and friends. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
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