Grandstand named to honour cricket legend

ONE of the main grandstands at the newly upgraded Oakes Oval has been named in honour of Lismore cricket legend John McMahon.

McMahon died last year at the age of 91, after spending decades as a player, coach and administrator on the Far North Coast.

He played as high up as Queensland and set a record by playing an incredible 32 seasons of cricket in the Lismore district.

Terry McMahon said naming a grandstand is a fantastic honour for his father and the family.

He is one of eight children with the family celebrating the milestone together at the venue with friends and community members.

“The naming of the Oakes Oval grandstand in Dad’s honour is a wonderful, lasting tribute that our family is incredibly proud of,” Terry said.

“The recognition bestowed upon Dad for his contribution to cricket from numerous sporting bodies, the Lismore City Council, various dignitaries and the local community is most humbling.”

McMahon moved to Lismore in the 1950s to pursue a career in journalism.

John McMahon was a top cricket player, coach and administrator for decades in the Far North Coast competition. Photo: SUPPLIED.

The left-arm wrist spinner earned two Sheffield Shield caps for Queensland.

His playing career began in Sydney in 1943 and spanned nearly seven decades.

He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2008 and a lifetime coaching award from Cricket NSW.

His last appearance on the field was in 2011, at the age of 79.

Lismore City Council has now recognised multiple cricket legends at Oakes Oval, with the Lyn Larsen grandstand and Adam Gilchrist pavilion recently announced.

Mayor Steve Krieg said it was a fitting tribute to McMahon with a large crowd on hand to officially open the grandstand.

“John McMahon was more than a cricketing legend; he was a community pillar, and it is fitting that we are naming this grandstand in his honour, twelve months after he passed away,” he said.

“His passion for the sport and dedication to mentoring others has left an indelible mark on Lismore.

“Naming a grandstand after him is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to our city and its people.”