Ferbane GAA pays tribute to club legend

It is indeed rare for someone who never wore the team jersey on a playing pitch to gain legendary status within a GAA club. Despite being a very proud native of Ballindrennan, Kilcormac, Gerry Carroll became synonymous with his adopted club, Ferbane GAA, and everyone associated with the club mourns his passing.

Gerry has lived in Ferbane for close to 60 years becoming an integral part of the club and community in that time.

He served on the Ferbane GAA committee for many years, taking on different, sometimes difficult, and always crucial work, while – in typical fashion- avoiding the limelight of an officer role.

Gerry played a huge part in the success of the club's lotto draw for numerous years, relentlessly enhancing ticket sales. He transformed ticket-selling into an art form with his many customers regularly seeking Gerry out to ensure inclusion in the next draw.

He was deeply involved with the Ferbane Hurling Club for the entire duration of its existence, from its inception in the early eighties. He was a selector on various Junior hurling teams including the 1984 Junior B Championship winning team and he was part of the management team of the first Ferbane-Belmont under-12 team to win a title.

An extremely active hurling committee member, Gerry lent his hand to whatever job needed doing on a particular day from waterman to linesman, from wingman to taxi-man.

On retiring from the ESB, Gerry took on the role of caretaker for the club grounds and brought the same passion to the job as he displayed when supporting every team wearing the green and white.

Gerry was available day and night to facilitate teams and was always on hand to help with the day to day running of the club. His willingness to help and his gentlemanly demeanour greatly enhanced the experience of all who participated in any activities in Ferbane GAA.

He loved travelling to games and was an avid follower of club and county. When it came to after-match celebrations Gerry wouldn’t be found wanting – his rendition of ‘My Father’s House’ was always a highlight and no celebration was complete without Gerry leading a willing chorus in ‘The Offaly Rover’ and, naturally, ‘The Fields ‘Round Ferbane’.

He took great pride in seeing his children and grandchildren playing the games he loved so much, and their sense of loss at this time is immense.

Gerry got a great kick out of the club’s social side and would gladly partake in post-match, pre-match or any other analysis taking place. He thoroughly enjoyed the club trips – whether bringing the club home with him to Ballyboy or heading away with the club to Benalmádena, his wonderful storytelling added to the enjoyment of those who travelled with him. He had a quiet, unassuming nature with a small touch of devilment and an infectious spirit but, above all, Gerry Carroll was a gentleman.

Extending sincere sympathies to Gerry's wife Phil, sons Paul, Diarmuid and Daragh, daughters Yvonne and Andrina and to their extended families, Ferbane GAA said: "We thank you Gerry for your great passion for, and giving so much of yourself to Ferbane GAA and for enriching the lives of all of us who had the pleasure to share some part of your life’s journey. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

Gerry Carroll died on January 17 at the Midland Tullamore Regional Hospital, Tullamore. Gerry will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Phil and family, Paul, Yvonne, Andrina, Diarmuid and Daragh, grandchildren, Jamie, Chloe, Luke, Nathan and Georgia, sister Bridgie, brothers, Johnny, Tommy, Cormac and Paddy, son-in-law Aiden, daughter-in-law Sylvia, sisters-in-law and nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and many friends.

His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ferbane, with interment afterwards in Kilrehan Cemetery. May Gerry rest in peace.