The NSW cricket community is in mourning following the passing in Brisbane, of NSW Cricket Association Life Member, John McMahon OAM, aged 91.

McMahon was born in Sydney in 1932 and played his first game of cricket in 1943, at the age of 9, and his last game in 2011, at the age of 79.

McMahon attended St Patrick's College, Strathfield and it was here he found a passion for journalism, a career that he enjoyed for many years.

His lifelong contribution to cricket came as a player, coach and administrator with his service to the sport, particularly in the state’s Northern Rivers, where he moved to Lismore for his work as a journalist in the mid 1950’s, earning him recognition as a life member of Lismore District Cricket Association, Far North Coast Cricket Council, North Coastal Cricket Zone, Country Cricket NSW and the NSW Cricket Association. 

As a player, McMahon was a wicket-taking left arm wrist spinner who played eight seasons for Balmain in the Sydney Grade competition, including one full season of first grade. He took 210 wickets for the club.

From top left. Greg Youngberry, Reg Baxter, Harold Crozier, Kevin Kirkland, Jack McLean , John Pratt, Stan Goulding, Front row. Geoff Riley, Dave Weir, Len Henley , Frank Ryan, John McMahon, Barry Pratt.

Following his move to Lismore, McMahon made an immediate impact on the country cricket scene in NSW before also playing in the Brisbane competition and earning two Sheffield Shield caps for Queensland. Upon returning to Lismore, he again dominated local cricket.

McMahon played 32 seasons of first grade cricket in Lismore. He had 18 seasons with Marist Brothers and 14 with Western Districts.

In what is an incredible statistic, he took five wickets or more in 75 innings for Marist Brothers and when you add representative cricket and his time at Western Districts, his total number of five wicket hauls exceeds 120.

John was named in the Marist Brothers Cricket Club Team of the Century in 2017 and served as the clubs Secretary in1965/66 and again in 1973/74.

In total, John played 18 seasons for the Marist Brothers club as a left-arm off spinner and right hand batsman.

He won a total of 5 first grade premierships between 1957 and 1984.

His career highlights for the club include an 81 to win a grand final and his incredible 1960/61 season where he took 81 wickets!

During that time and in the years that followed McMahon was also heavily involved as a coach and administrator, recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2008 and bestowed with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to cricket.

His gift as a coach was legendary and he received a Lifetime Coaching award from Cricket NSW. 

John and his wife Joan were deeply affected by the Lismore flood disaster in 2022 and moved to Brisbane where he sadly passed, survived by Joan and their eight children and many grandkids. Three of John and Joan’s children - Terry, Brian and Michael - played first grade cricket in Sydney.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said McMahon’s passing would leave a void that would be hard to fill.

“John was the humblest of men, understated, strong and of the highest integrity,” Germon said.

“He cared deeply for cricket and our people, as evidenced by his lifelong commitment to the game as a player and volunteer, and will be sadly missed for generations to come.

“I know I speak for many, many people within the cricket community in offering our deepest condolences to Joan, the McMahon family and all of those whose life John has impacted.”

A number of influential sporting administrators have suggested that John McMahon should be remembered in the newly upgraded Oakes and Crozier Oval precincts.

(Partial Story Credit: Cricket NSW)