It is with deep regret that Fermanagh GAA has learned of the death of former Fermanagh footballer John Maguire.
Legendary John Maguire was to be the first ever Fermanagh player to score at Croke Park way back in the 1959 All Ireland Junior Final against Kerry with a superb point in the first minute of the memorable victory.
Maguire represented Fermanagh with great distinction from 1950 to 1961 and played at midfield alongside Mick Brewster in the 1959 All Ireland Junior Final.
The Belcoo native was known throughout Fermanagh as ‘The Belcoo Dynamo’ and later transferred to St John’s in Belfast and quickly became known as ‘The Iron Man’ in Belfast.
Maguire had a great rapport with Mick Brewster and it was well known in games that the first strategy in a game was, “You snipe them and I’ll punch them in,” while a second strategy became, “Bust the net or kill the keeper.”
Born on October 1st 1935, he loved to say that when he joined teams they won medals and this was the case also when he came to Belfast and enjoyed a very successful club career with St John’s.
He worked in the Queens University Bar until starting his own business as a newsagent in 1978 which continued until he retired in 2001.
In retirement he sang in the Parish choir and travelled with family around Ireland and abroad but mainly to every Fermanagh match he could go to right up to his death.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Michaels, The Archangel Church, Belfast. There was a tremendous attendance by Gaels throughout the County, many of whom had played with and against John. The burial was in the City Cemetery, Belfast.
He married Magdalen in 1961 and they had three children Clare, Dominic and Gregory.
His family have lost a great man while Fermanagh football has lost another of its greatest sons.
Peace to his Gentle soul.
