To captain your club to four senior hurling championship successes is the real stuff of legend – and that’s what John Joe ‘Old Timer’ Ging was in Portlaoise GAA club.
He passed away suddenly early this week at his home on Greenmill Lane in the town, opposite the old Dunne’s Stores, aged in his late 70s.
A good-humoured, much-loved character, he had the distinction of being captain of the Portlaoise hurling team that achieved their breakthrough success in 1981, ending a 43-year wait since their previous county championship triumph.
He was the father figure on that team, the teak tough full-back, playing alongside younger names like Pat Critchley, John Taylor, Seamas ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett, Charlie Keegan, the Keenans and the Bohanes. His nickname, the ‘Old Timer’ derived from his status as the veteran of that team.
And with that success under their belt, Portlaoise went on to win four-in-a-row with Ging captain for all four. That team had the unusual distinction of winning the four finals in four different venues because O’Moore Park was closed for redevelopment work.
The 1981 win over Camross was in Rathdowney, 1982 against Errill was in Borris-in-Ossory, in 1983 it was in Mountrath while O’Moore Park was back open again in 1984 when they got the better of The Harps after a replay.
John Joe also had a distinguished football career, winning Laois and Leinster senior club medals in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
After his playing days finished, John Joe continued to stay involved, often alongside his old team-mate John Taylor with various teams.
John Joe is survived by his brothers Paddy, Christy and Tommy, relatives, nieces, nephews and his many friends.
Funeral details to follow.
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