Published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009 5:00pm

John McAviney, Ballybay

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THE death occurred on Saturday last at Cavan General Hospital of well-known NUJ photographer John McAviney, Knocknamaddy, Ballybay. Aged 60, he was a commercial and press photographer covering many and varied events particularly gaelic games at provincial and national level in a career that extended across three decades. He provided extensive coverage of the Monaghan GAA club and county scene, as well as the progress of Ulster teams in the national league and All-Ireland championship competitions to The Anglo-Celt in Cavan and Northern Standard in Monaghan, as well as to the international and national media.

Among the highlights of his career was his coverage of Barry McGuigan's world bantamweight boxing title win over Eusebio Pedroza in London in 1985, which sparked off days of celebrations in McGuigan's native Clones. McAviney supplied a number of top-class pictures of the fight and post-match celebrations to a number of provincial newspapers including The Anglo-Celt and Northern Standard, as well as the national print media.

John had been in failing health over the last number of years but despite various setbacks endeavoured to work as normal as possible in order to fulfil his obligations to the various newspapers. He was one of the founder members of the (UGAAWA) Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association Writers Association and acted as its first chairman. Among the functions of this organisation is to serve the needs of GAA writers and photographers throughout the province, as well as maintaining close contact with GAA bodies such as the Ulster Council with regard to better press facilities at grounds and ensuring accreditation to GAA journalists attending games throughout the nine counties.

The GAA Writers Association was also a social outlet for the members at their monthly meetings. One of his tasks as chairman was to assist in organising the annual Ulster Gaelic Football Writers' awards banquet, where people who had distinguished themselves in a number of sports including football, hurling, camogie, handball and ladies football, were awarded for their efforts. Renowned for his wry sense of humour, John was a member of a family steeped in a strong GAA tradition and was brother of Martin McAviney, who is currently treasurer of the Ulster Council GAA. His son Emmett was a former playing member of Ballybay Pearse Brothers club and is currently team manager of Kilkenny minor team.

He is survived by his wife Eithne; his mother, Sally; son, Emmett and daughter, Oonagh; as well as six brothers, Peter, Ballybay; Vincent and Leonard, Jersey; Martin, Ballybay; Paul, Blackrock and Brendan, Monaghan; and five sisters, Therese O'Neill, Perth, Australia; Anne Murray, Ballybay; Briege Mealiff and Maureen Hurrlein, Perth, Australia and Sally, Castleshane, Co Monaghan.

The funeral took place on Tuesday from St. Patrick's Church, Ballybay to the adjoining cemetery. Representatives from the Central Council, Ulster Council, Monaghan Co Board and the Ulster GAA Writers Association, as well as public representatives were among the large attendance.