McCarthy remembered as loving young man

Updated September 20, 2012 15:45:22

John McCarthy was a very special and loving young man, son and friend to many, his mother said at the 22-year-old's funeral in Sorrento today.

Cath McCarthy delivered a touching eulogy at the St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in her family's home town on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula in front of around 2,000 mourners.

A guard of honour farewelled McCarthy on the way to a private family burial before a wake for mourners held at the Sorrento Football Club, where he played as a junior.

Among those at the service were family and friends as well as players from McCarthy's two AFL clubs, Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

Mrs McCarthy said her "Johnny Boy" was a very spiritual person whose love, kindness and softness knew no bounds.

"He loved his family with an intensity. He was a lover, and I'd like to say not a fighter. However if you crossed one of his own, you were in trouble," she said.

"He loved his beautiful partner Dani and her family, who embraced him like a son.

"He loved his friends, he loved his team-mates. He just generated love.

"Everywhere he went he touched people and I believe he made them better for he was not ashamed to show love."

McCarthy died last week while on a trip with 10 fellow Port Adelaide players in Las Vegas after falling from a building.

Despite the tragedy of her son's death, Mrs McCarthy said her family had no regrets.

"We could not have loved him more," she said.

"There were no handshakes in our family. Only hugs, kisses and love."

Mrs McCarthy also encouraged players from the Power and Magpies to never forget her son's spirit on the field.

"We feel for you in the tough times knowing that as young men you are exposed to pressure well beyond your years. You are an exemplary group of men," she said.

"This may not make the coaches happy, but when Port Adelaide plays Collingwood we hope for a draw," she added to laughter among the congregation.

"However, whatever the result, we will be cheering for every player out there and hoping Johnny is helping them.

"For never play for Johnny, just play with him."

All 18 AFL clubs were represented at the service which was also attended by his former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou.

Services were also held at Port Adelaide Football Club's base at Alberton and Westpac Centre in Melbourne, with big screens showing the funeral from Sorrento.

About 1,500 mourners gathered at Alberton Oval, where the club held a memorial.

Fighting back tears, Port Adelaide deputy chairman Kevin Osborn said the loss of the young footballer had shocked and galvanised the Australian football community.

He said McCarthy would be remembered for his smile, bright personality and absolute commitment to the club.

"This accident took one of our special people, a warrior of this club, number 35, worn with pride," he said.

"John McCarthy, Johnny to his family, J-Mac to his supporters and many at the club. Rest assured, he will not be forgotten."

In a video tribute, team-mate and close friend Brad Ebert said McCarthy had been great to share a joke and laugh with.

"I'm so grateful that I had the time that I did with John," Ebert said.

"Although it was only 10 months to a year, speaking to the guys, we felt like he was here for 10 years.

"It was just the way that he came in and embraced the Port Adelaide way, got around the team. He was fantastic."

Port Adelaide's Brandon Chaplin said even those supporters who had never met McCarthy were grieving.

McCarthy played 39 AFL games. He played 18 for Collingwood after being drafted by the Magpies in 2007.

He was delisted by Collingwood but drafted by Port Adelaide, playing 21 games for the Power in the 2012 season.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, community-and-society, sorrento-3943, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia, vic

First posted September 20, 2012 07:01:09

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'Unique' McCarthy remembered fondly by family

Updated September 11, 2012 18:18:14

The family of AFL footballer John McCarthy has described the Port Adelaide midfielder as a "unique" and "precious" person.

McCarthy died in Las Vegas on Sunday (local time) after falling more than nine metres from the rooftop of the famous hotel and casino, The Flamingo.

The 22-year-old was holidaying in Las Vegas with several of his Power team-mates and had only arrived in the United States over the weekend.

He was found at 5:37am on Sunday and was pronounced dead less than an hour later at a hospital trauma centre.

The circumstances of McCarthy's death are still being investigated but the coroner's office in Las Vegas does not believe it is suspicious.

McCarthy's uncle, John Olle, spoke to the media on behalf of the family in the Victorian seaside town of Sorrento on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Olle expressed gratitude to the "overwhelming flood of well wishes" following the death of his nephew.

He says McCarthy, who was known as Johnny among his family, was a young man of great character.

"A life does not attract a response of such magnitude unless it is truly worthy and the life of Johnny was," Mr Olle said.

"He was a unique, precious and loved young man."

McCarthy began his AFL career with Collingwood, having been recruited by the Magpies in the 2007 draft.

Mr Olle says McCarthy's reaction following his drafting spoke volumes about the person he was.

"He had some dear friends who weren't drafted. He spent the day with them, sharing their pain," he said.

McCarthy made his senior debut for the Magpies in 2008 but was de-listed by the club at the end of the 2011 season before linking up with the Power.

Mr Olle says McCarthy never held ill feeling towards the Magpies, with whom he made 18 senior appearances, despite their decision to de-list him in the off-season.

"He never said a bad word about Collingwood," he said.

"He was so grateful that Collingwood drafted him."

McCarthy joined the Power through the 2012 preseason draft.

The hard-running midfielder became a regular at the Power, playing 21 matches in the 2012 season.

Mr Olle says McCarthy felt he owed the Power a great debt for giving him the opportunity to continue his senior career.

"They offered him a second chance and they embraced him and not just him [but also] his girlfriend Dani," he said.

Mr Olle conceded McCarthy, who left for the US with his team-mates the day after the Power's awards night, believed his form could have been better this season.

"Not long before he went overseas he was a little dirty on his year," he said.

"He had been through a lot of for the young man. He was looking forward to the year ahead."

Mr Olle thanked the media and the AFL community for respecting the privacy of the family since they were informed of McCarthy's death on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Power released a statement earlier on Tuesday thanking the public for sharing their thoughts on McCarthy.

More than 1,500 tributes have been left on the club's website and there have been thousands more messages of support on social media.

AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) chief executive Matt Finnis says Tuesday night's AFLPA most valuable player awards will also pay tribute to McCarthy.

"We've thought long and hard about how we do that and we're intent on demonstrating our respect and some small tribute," he said.

"There will be a number of players who would ordinarily have attended tonight who won't be there, but there will be many members of the broader football community who I'm sure will come together and draw some support."

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sorrento-3943, port-adelaide-5015, collingwood-3066

First posted September 11, 2012 17:38:09

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Davis remembered as warm, loving hero

By Jean Edwards

Updated May 24, 2011 15:16:00

Hundreds of mourners wearing the famous blue and white colours of the Geelong Cats have packed St Mary's Basilica to farewell AFL legend Bob Davis.

The former premiership player and coach, nicknamed the Geelong Flyer, died last week at the age of 82.

Speaking at the funeral, Guy Davis said his father was a great protector, role model and friend.

"Whether you saw him on the footy field or on television, whether you were lucky enough to meet him for five minutes or you were blessed enough to know him all your life, we love you Bob," he said.

"We will miss you so much, but we are richer in so many ways for having had you in our lives."

Mr Davis says his father's warmth shone through even while working as the night manager at his motel in Geelong.

"There's a terrific story about some weary traveller trying to check in at three in the morning, only to be confronted by footy legend and TV personality Bobby Davis, emerging from the back room, probably in his PJs," he said.

"From what I understand, Dad gave the bloke an autograph as well as a room."

The parish priest at St Mary's, Father Kevin Dillon, said Bob Davis was a wonderful family man full of warmth and humour.

"He's not just a footballer and he's not just a media personality," Father Dillon said.

"He was a wonderful bloke and meant so much to so many good people whose lives he's touched over the years."

Ian Cover, of the Coodabeen Champions, told ABC Local Radio that Bob Davis always spoke in a manner which reflected his enjoyment of footy.

"When he got out of the game he always reflected the positives and showed enthusiasm for the game, not only the way it was played, but for people who either played footy or followed footy," he said.

"When you consider that he started on television in 1959, when it was in its infancy and was still on pay TV in 2006, that's 47 years.

"He was part of the fabric of life in Geelong."

Tags: death, sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, geelong-3220

First posted May 24, 2011 07:39:00

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