FOR the best part of a decade, the voice of the Derry club championships had a different dialect. It wasn’t a Derry accent – it bore its roots in the heart of West Cork and the picturesque seaside town of Clonakilty. The voice was that of Miceál Ahern.
This weekend Miceál’s voice will be absent from the microphone in Owenbeg and Celtic Park. After illness Miceál passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64 and will be laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in Cushendall – the homeplace of his wife Mary.
His daughter Maeve, a doctor, works in Australia but moved back home to look after her father. Miceál’s other daughter Eimear is based in Berlin and Miceál Óg, who followed his father into the world of finance, lives in Derry.
The Aherns arrived in Derry somewhat by chance. After relocating to London, the family decided to move back to Ireland almost 20 years ago and picked the Maiden City as their new home.
The GAA had a strong influence on Miceál’s life and was heavily involved in the hurling scene in London but still always kept in touch with his club Clonakilty. Miceál Óg holds seven underage hurling championships in London and made a trip home for a Féile in Wexford.
As he admitted to long-time friend Bernie Mullan, he ‘didn’t play much football’ but ‘was a goalie’ and once saved a penalty from former Kerry great Mick O’Dwyer. It was his claim to fame.
“I remember my first meeting with Miceál,” Mullan recalled. “He had just moved into the county and was looking for two tickets for an All-Ireland Final involving Cork. I got him the tickets, agreed to meet him in Derry at two o'clock and asked him for directions.”
“When you turn on to the Northland Road, the first man you see sitting on the footpath in a Cork jersey – that’ll be me,” came Ahern’s reply
Miceál first got involved in Derry GAA when Club Derry had a function in the Guildhall. After an involvement in the Celtic Park committee, he became heavily involved in Club Derry where he used his financial nous in the role of treasurer. There was also a devout interest in traditional music and Scór, where he travelled far and wide to attend competitions.
Paul Lupari, Chairman of Club Derry paid his tribute: “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Miceál Ahern. Miceál was a true Gael and although probably better known for his PA work at Owenbeg and Celtic Park it was the many hours work Miceál did behind the scenes which made him a class apart.”
Lupari paid tribute to Ahern’s professionalism in his role as treasurer, even in his weeks of ill-health and at the recent fund-raising BBQ ahead of the Ulster Minor Final, Club Derry presented Miceál with an honoury county medal.
Following their win over Cavan in the Ulster Final, Derry minor boss Damian McErlain dedicated the win to Miceál: “Days like this don’t happen without the work of people like Miceál Ahern.”
When the county finals roll around later in the year, one man will be missing from the press box – looking for team news, substitutions and passing on the attendance to the assembled press corps.
Miceál’s loss will leave a void in his family circle and the greater GAA community.
Brian Smith, Derry GAA Chairman, also paid tribute: “Miceál's passing leaves a wake of sadness, but also extreme pride in having known someone who can only be described as Derry's greatest ever Cork man. We will miss him dearly. Go raibh maith agat as a bheith ina chara.”
From the southern tip of Ireland, to the hustle bustle of London and the banks of the River Foyle, Miceál’s soft, West Cork accent will still stay with us - the voice of the club championships.
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