[Editor: This obituary of Percy Mahoney was published in The Maryborough Chronicle (Maryborough, Qld.), 7 December 1950. See also: “Vale! Percy Mahoney”, a poem written in honour of Percy Mahoney.]
Early-day sportsman’s death
The death of Mr. Percy Mahoney, at the age of 71 years, occurred early on Tuesday night. Only two brothers of that once well-known Yengarie family of sportsmen now remain — namely, Messrs. J. P. Mahoney, Yengarie, Chairman of Directors of the Maryborough Dairy Association Ltd., and Mr. Bernard Mahoney, Head Teacher, Wynnum Central School, Brisbane.
At one time six Mahoney boys — sons of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Mahoney, Yengarie — and four Cran boys were members of the Yengarie eleven. Every player of the team was a good all-rounder, and many thrilling games were played on the old Yengarie concrete pitch. It took an exceptionally good team from Maryborough and district, and further afield, to mark time with the “village” eleven.
Joe Mahoney and Len Cran (now manager of the Rockhampton Bulletin) were, perhaps, outstanding with bat and ball. The latter, apart from his skill with the bat, was a particularly fast bowler. Both were brilliant fieldsmen, too. It has often been said by competent authorities that Joe Mahoney, Len Cran, Charlie (“Torem”) Poulter (bowler), the late Gilbert Morton (batsman) and Bob Hunter (wicket-keeper) would have made the State side — one or two of them, perhaps, even the Australian team — had they lived in Brisbane or Sydney in their prime and played on turf wickets.
The late Mr. Percy (“Muldoon”) Mahoney was, also, a good all-rounder: a sound right-hand batsman, who figured in many fine partnerships with the bat. He was also a good change bowler and frequently took his turn behind the stumps. When he later took up residence in Maryborough, “Muldoon” played for the Railways, and was one of their outstanding players for many years. He frequently represented the local Railway C.C. in its then series of matches with the Brisbane Railways, at Maryborough and in the metropolis, and often represented Maryborough in inter-city matches, as well as in inter-city football. He was a good footballer in his day. He was also a representative cricketer and footballer for Gympie when he lived in that city for some years.
The late Mr. Mahoney was educated at the Christian Brothers’ College, at which school he passed his Sydney Junior University examination. He entered the railway service at Maryborough in July, 1898, as a cleaner in the locomotive section, and about 1910 was appointed a driver. He retired in September, 1946, after a loyal service of over 48 years with the department.
A true sportsman who always “played the game,” the late Mr. Mahoney will be greatly missed in a wide circle of friends, whose deep sympathy is extended to his bereaved widow.
Source:
The Maryborough Chronicle (Maryborough, Qld.), 7 December 1950, p. 2
Editor’s notes:
all-rounder = someone who can play a variety of positions in a game; someone who can fulfill a variety of positions in a group, organisation, team, unit, workplace, or in any other environment where different sets of abilities, skills, or knowledge are required to perform various functions; something which has a versatile nature (such as a tool with many functions or uses); someone who possesses a versatile skill-set; someone who is good at a variety of sports, academic subjects, or trade skills, or who can fulfill a variety of roles
C.C. = an abbreviation of “Cricket Club”
early-day = of or relating to the early days (in the times of long ago) of a group, institution, organisation, settlement, place, or nation
eleven = (in the context of the game of cricket) a cricket team (e.g. “the Australian eleven” refers to the Australian national cricket team); in a game of cricket, there are two teams of eleven players (the fielding team puts eleven players on the cricket ground, and the batting team put two batters on the pitch); whilst a standard cricket team has eleven players, some versions of the game use smaller teams (such as in matches of indoor cricket)
Messrs. = an abbreviation of “messieurs” (French), being the plural of “monsieur”; used in English as the plural of “Mister” (which is abbreviated as “Mr.”); the title is used in English prior to the names of two or more men (often used regarding a company, e.g. “the firm of Messrs. Bagot, Shakes, & Lewis”, “the firm of Messrs. Hogue, Davidson, & Co.”)
played the game = past tense of the phrase “play the game”: to act in accordance with the rules of a game; to act in a fair, honest, honorable, just, and moral manner; to act in accordance with (to adhere to, to conform with) the generally accepted and established rules, modes of behavior, conventions, customs, beliefs, and moral standards of society; (in a workplace, organisation, or structured environment) to act in the manner expected by the leadership, a senior person, or a peer group, whether to get by, to keep one’s position, or to achieve some success
village eleven = (in the context of the game of cricket) the cricket team of a village, township, or local area
Yengarie = a town or rural locality in south-eastern Queensland, located to the west of Maryborough
[Editor: Added a comma after “Head Teacher”. The name “Rockhampton Bulletin” (referring to a periodical) has been put in italics, to distinguish it from the rest of the text. Changed “(Batsman)” to “(batsman)” (in line with the other cricketing roles mentioned).]
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
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