It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Gerry McGovern, a GAA stalwart and an ever-present volunteer in the Cloone club for over 50 years. From Gerry’s first involvement in the club back in the 1960’s, his presence has been marked by decades of dedication and service to both the club and the community. Leitrim GAA and many GAA clubs have posted generous tributes to Gerry Mc Govern who died on Wednesday and its no lie to say that Gerry earned and deserved all of them for his work carried out throughout his life. Tributes outlined his enormous contribution to the GAA at Club, County and Provincial levels, as a Player, a Referee and an Administrator and every Cloone person are enormously proud of his achievements in this regard and for the person Gerry was, a dedicated Leitrim man, Cloone man and a man who was proud of his roots in Annaghmacooleen, Cloone.
Gerry McGovern’s involvement with Cloone GAA has been a story of dedication and service that began with his appointment as secretary of the Cloone club on December 6th 1970 at an AGM in the Old School in Cloone. The duties of a young club Runaí at that time were very different from today and he often talked about coming home on a Tuesday evening, receiving the following weekends fixtures before writing out the detail on post cards and cycling to Cloone to post the notifications out to our club players all over the country.
In addition to holding the role of club secretary, Gerry was establishing himself as talented footballer at this time where his best position was mainly in the middle of the park and was a key member of the Cloone team of 1972 that won the Leitirm Intermediate Championship. He would go on to achieve further success throughout 1970’s with club league successes which also led to him lining out with the Leitrim senior team on several occasions.
Gerry was instrumental in bringing about one of the finest days in our club’s history, when as secretary of the club he was one of the main driving forces behind the development and official opening of our current club grounds Pairc Naomh Mhuire in 1980. Whether it was organising, managing, fundraising or at the construction end, Gerry was very much at the heart of delivering a facility that will live on for generations to come. Later on, in that same year of 1980, Gerry achieved his finest hour as a player when he delivered a man of the match performance to help Cloone win their first County Senior title in 29 years when we won the Leitrim Senior Championship of 1980. Lining out at midfield Gerry’ powerful performance gave Cloone the foundation to secure a famous victory. Later that year, Gerry was awarded the clubs first ever Senior Player of the Year.
Through the 80’s and 90’s Gerry served as team manager to numerous senior and under-age sides with notable league and championship successes across several adult and underage grades. As a mentor and coach Gerry always strived to help young people achieve their potential and be the best they possibly could, and while instilling a competitive and winning attitude, his advice was always delivered in an encouraging and respectful way.
Gerry also became a highly rated referee during the 1990’s and, as with all other roles he served, he dedicated his full enthusiasm to the role achieving a place on the National Referees panel and taking charge of the Leitrim Senior Championship finals of 1993 and 1999.
After retiring from refereeing Gerry established himself as one of the county’s top administrators over many years. From an initial election as Secretary of Bord na nÓg in the late 90’s Gerry went on to serve as vice Chairman of the county board before being elected as Cathaoirleach Coiste Chontae Liatroma in 2005. Gerry’s vision and foresight seen many significant projects initiated during these five years including the building of Ardan Mhic Samhrain in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, the commencement of the Center of Excellence in Annaduff and comprehensive reviews of club and competition structures. Nearing the end of his term as Chairman,he was very proud to present the Frank Reynolds Memorial Cup to his native Cloone as they captured the Leitrim Intermediate Championship title in 2009 with victory in Ballinamore over Aughawillan. It was the perfect end to his term of office. This was a team full of players that Gerry had trained and coached at underage level and seeing them fulfil their potential gave him great satisfaction and pride.
Upon completion of his Cathaoirleach’s term, Gerry then moved to provincial office and was Leitrim delegate to Connacht Council from 2010 to 2015. The conclusion of his term as delegate then saw him elected to the role of Vice President of Connacht Council on a three-year term. Following this term, he was then elected as President of Connacht GAA in 2018 which brought with it the role of joint Vice President of the Association. This achievement was a very proud moment for his family, for the club and particularly for Gerry himself. As Gerry took his place on Coiste Bainistíochta in Croke Park, it was a far cry from his early beginnings of club meetings in a Morris Minor in Cloone, but the one constant through those 50 years was Gerry McGovern’s dedication and passion and the 100% commitment he gave to every role he held. Right up to his passing Gerry remained actively involved in various roles serving as Cloone PRO in recent years and his current role of County Safety and Facilities Officer and member of the Leitrim GAA executive.
Apart from his GAA commitments Gerry was also very active in the wider community, taking part in amateur drama, Macra Na Feirme, Drumloughan school reunion and was a key figure in the development of Cloone Community Centre in 1986.
Gerry McGovern was a truly unique and special person. When the days’ work was done Gerry enjoyed nothing better than spending time with family and friends and his wit and humour was something everyone enjoyed. As he’d share with us his insightful knowledge of teams and events of past years you could always be sure of a colourful story about the ‘Annaghmacooleen Gaels’ club or indeed the healing merits of a ‘brandy and choc-ice’. Gerry also had a great love of music and song, and if a rendition of Lovely Leitrim was required, he could be relied upon to do the necessary.
It is without a doubt that we are filled with sadness at the loss of such an iconic figure, we can reflect with fondness and gratitude that he was such a part of our community here in Cloone and that he gave so generously of his talents and time for the betterment of his club, his community, his county and to the Association that was so important to him. As Gerry Mc Govern leaves his beloved Annaghmacooleen for the last time, on his way to Cloone Church, his journey will pass St. Mary’s GAA Park, Cloone Community Centre and a village transformed, he will be entitled to smile down and reflect on the central role he played over five decades in the development of Cloone Parish and the facilities that future generations will enjoy. Although Gerry may not be with us anymore, his legacy will live on and will always be remembered as one of the Cloone Greats and a man who has made Cloone GAA into the club it is today.
While our loss is great, the loss to his family is immense and to his wife, Kathleen; his sons, Ciaran and Gavin; daughter Jacinta; daughters-in-law Alison and Sarah; Jacinta’s partner Daniel; his grandchildren, Dara, Jack, Rosie, and Mike; brothers Fr. Ciaran and Joe; sister-in-law Geraldine; nephews Ronan, Conor, and Kieran; and his extended family, we extend our sincere and heartfelt sympathy.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Connacht GAA President Gerry McGovern pictured with members of the Cloone GAA Club on the night of his election to office.
