Sports woman who leaves a lasting influence

OBITUARY: MARIA KEALY JOHNSON

Maria Kealy Johnson

Dunshaughlin

An outpouring of love and support enveloped Micky Johnson and the Kealy family over the weekend following the passing of Maria Kealy Johnson, a young woman full of life and energy, who was a guiding light and inspiration to so many across the county and beyond.

The former Meath footballer and coach, the youngest member of one of the county’s best known GAA families, died peacefully at her home at Ballinlough, Dunshaughlin, on Friday, following a year and a half battle with illness. She was aged 38.

GAA and sporting clubs from across the county and beyond joined in the tributes to the player who captained Meath to an Under-16 All-Ireland championship in 2000, then coached a county under-16 to an All-Ireland in 2009 under Eamonn Murray's management. Maria won a Leinster MFC as a player in 2002, then coached Meath to win their next title in 2019.

Thousands queued at McEntaggart’s Funeral Home in Dunshaughlin in inclement weather over six hours on Sunday, and on Monday morning, it took an hour for mourners to file past the family in Dunshaughlin Church, where Fr Sean Henry described Maria as someone who grasped life with both hands, and lived it to its fullest. "Cannot do was not part of her vocabulary – she rose to every challenge that was put before her, and urged others to do the same.”

"Maria left a lasting influence that we have already seen in the many that have been influenced by her, uplifted by her enthusiasm, and guided by her leadership,” the Dunshaughlin parish priest said.

He added that her gyms in Kilmessan and Drogheda were not just a places of physical fitness, but also of the mind. “Maria, with her smile and her kind words raised people up – she made things happen and was always up to the challenge.”

Dunshaughlin and Royal Gaels Gaelic Football Club described intense sadness at the death of Maria Kealy, “the youngest of a family that has been at the heart of our club for the past four decades.”

Maria was a talented footballer who played regularly for Meath and Royal Gaels, winning an All-Ireland Under-16 with the Royals as captain, and a double of Leinster minors, topping it off with an intermediate club title in 2007. She spent some time as a coaching and games officer with Meath GAA and was also involved in coaching and management of ladies’ football and camogie at club and county level.

Maria had established her own business in Kilmessan where her trademark smile, bubbly personality, fitness expertise and professional manner endeared her to all her clients from the sporting world and beyond, the club continued in a tribute that has had a 70,000 reach online.

“She was a gifted young woman whose natural instinct was kindness and generosity towards others.”

Following news of Maria’s death, flowers and candles were left outside her gym, MA.KE Health, in Kilmessan, where she had sponsored gear for the local camogie club.

The camogie club stated: "Maria gave the girls pre-season sessions that they won't forget, not only for the pain of the sessions but also the craic they had with her. Maria's kindness and knowledge helped so many of the girls get back to fitness after injuries. Her lovely, bubbly, enthusiastic, kind self will be missed around the village."

Kilmessan Hurling Club said: “Maria was deeply involved in our community and club teams throughout the years and will be dearly missed by many.”

Meath Ladies Gaelic Football Association said: “Maria was a true leader on and off the field and was wholly respected by all in her time as a player and later a coach for both her club Royal Gaels and Meath LGFA.”

Meath Camogie said Maria was an invaluable part of many county and club squads and Meath camogie was extremely lucky to have her involved for many years in various roles.

"Maria was a kind, caring and sincere person who always had a positive approach to everything she did. Passionate about her job and lifted everyones spirits. We will remember her for her famous words "get out there and be the best version of yourself that you can"."

In a tribute, Dunshaughlin Athletic Club said: “Along with her nine siblings, Maria was part of our club in the 1990s running with that bubbly and friendly enthusiasm that became her trademark in life.

“Like her family, Maria was a total giver and doer, putting her heart and soul into sport, coaching and helping others and in particular young people. In recent years she would pace many runners to run in our 10k road race, impossible was not in her vocabulary as she crammed so much energy and positivity into her short life.”

At Monday’s funeral Mass, symbols of Maria’s life were brought to the altar.

A football represented her “biggest passion, in which she excelled as a player and teammate, and brought influence as a coach”; her Royal Gaels jersey, where she was part of the club and team from a young age, “always a driving force on and off the field.”; her Meath Number 2 jersey “as the only player who captained Meath to Under-16 All Ireland glory, and later coach an Under-16 team to All-Ireland glory”; her Green Star award, “one of the many accolades Maria won, reflecting her consistent drive and determination”; a hurley, after being approached by Meath hurling and camogie in recent years; racing silks, “representing the many top jockeys in Ireland who came to Maria’s gym looking for help with injuries and rehab, and to improve their fitness levels to get that extra edge”; her MA.KE Health T-shirt, “more than a business - it was her passion, her legacy, her dream come to reality”, and a rope, with “signified the bond she created with others, bringing strength and guidance, and her collaboration with amazing people in Child Vision Ireland.”

Also brought up was a St Pio relic, which Maria had put great faith in for strength and guidance, and a candle, which symbolised Maria as “a guiding light to so many, whose smile and flame will never die”.

The ChildVision Ireland charity said: "Maria, through her specially designed treadmills enabled so much for students at ChildVision, inspiring many of them to run for the first time. We will never forget her - she was a blinding ray of sunshine wrapped up in an unstoppable force of energy."

Maria is survived by her husband, Micky Johnson; parents; Ead and Pat; siblings, Kevin, Orla, Pat, Dermot, Brendan, Aidan, Richie, Fiona and Denis; father-in-law, Tony, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives and many friends.

Fr Joe Clavin assisted at the funeral Mass, and burial followed at Derrockstown Burial Gardens. Members of Dunshaughlin and Royal Gaels provided guards of honour, joined by other clubs including Kilmessan Camogie.