The late, great Gerry McElroy had magic in his boots and humility in his heart.

He was also a GAA local legend in his native land of wood and water, although the modest Ger-ry would shy away from any form of hype or hyperbole.

A huge crowd turned out to remember one of Lisnaskea and the Erne County’s most gifted Gaelic footballers in a packed Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea on a fresh day, bathed in bird-song, with the cry of spring in the hills.

Gerry was graceful on the field of sport and life, gentle with the bruised and the broken, and a great team-mate and leader in the heat of battle.

This writer played for St. John's Belleek/Garrison against him when he adorned the Clann na Og team, a combination of Lisnaskea and St. Pat's, and ‘adorned’ is the proper word, as he had a left foot that was sheer magic.

There wasn't a false bone in his body, and he was a total gentleman on and off the field.

They beat us in a County Minor final in 1975, and in U-21 County finals in 1977 and 1978, and Gerry's superb left foot crucified us from play and frees.

His talent took him on the Fermanagh teams at all levels, and he was one of the county's most elegant players.

Mementoes of his life were brought to the altar, including the red and green jersey of Lisnaskea Emmett’s, and a family photograph, which meant so much to Gerry.

In a moving eulogy, Canon Jimmy McPhillips told the large crowd that Gerry’s family had been through “a week of hell” since Tuesday, April 2.

He added that it showed how quickly life can change in the blink of an eye for anyone.

Canon McPhillips said one moment, life is good and happy, and then in another it is a very dif-ferent world, and everything that seems so important is gone.

But faith was needed at this time, and Gerry was a man of deep faith.

Canon McPhillips said that “death can never stop true love, and all it can do is delay it for a while”.

He continued: “When the terrible news broke on Saturday, I thought of that quote, and about his late wife, Ursula, neé McDermott, who passed away two years ago on this day, April 11.

“Now they are back together again in that great reunion in their eternal home.”

They were married for 41 years and that did not simply end when Ursula passed away, the big congregation was told.

“Despite those short years of separation, and Gerry’s sudden death, that picture of Gerry and Ursula back together again is a very strong image.

“Love is the calling of all of us – that is why we are, and that is what we have been born for, and that is why God gave us life.”

Canon Jimmy recalled the day that Gerry and Ursula made a commitment for life.

“On September 10, 1983, Gerry and Ursula made that great Christian declaration of love for each other in this very chapel in their marriage.

“They were a great example as a married couple in the love they had for one another.”

Addressing Gerry and Ursula’s daughter, Clíodhna, he said: “They had honesty, a work ethic and a moral code.

“Gerry had compassion, patience, tolerance, gentleness and never got cross with you, Clíodhna. Gerry had a deep but quiet faith, and he knew this Holy Cross Church very well.

“He was a reader here, he was a Eucharistic Minister here, and each night before going to sleep he would say the Rosary and the Memorare.”

But his passing was going to leave a deep void in the place that Gerry loved so well – a void that will never be filled.

“This parish and this community is now going to be a different place since Gerry has gone. His home was his castle, and all he ever wanted or needed in life was his family.”

“Gerry had good people skills, and he brought that to his work. He was also very confidential and he was a great man for people to go to in times of need.

Canon McPhillips added that Gerry was a great neighbour and a great worker, whether that was in the Cheese Factory, Clarke’s or McCaffrey’s, and he enjoyed his work, and people enjoyed him.

He also had a keen sense of style, and was a cool head in times of anxiety and doubt.

“Gerry was always well turned out, was laid back, and placid, and he never panicked. He never raised a hand in anger on the field of play, or off it, no matter what provocation he got.

“He was a gentleman who was supremely sensitive to the needs of others.”

His second love, next to his family, was the GAA, which was a huge part of his life.

“He was a GAA legend, playing Senior football for Lisnaskea when he was only 15 in the for-ward line, and he won four Fermanagh County Championship medals, as well as a SFL Division One title, and numerous Junior and Underage titles.

“Gerry also won a MacRory Cup medal with St. Michael’s, Enniskillen and two Sigerson Cups with QUB, and represented Fermanagh at all levels.

“In 1996, he was joint manager with Pat King when Fermanagh won an All-Ireland B title, and a Dr. McKenna Cup, and he co-managed Lisnaskea with Peter Clarke to Fermanagh, Ulster and All-Ireland Intermediate titles.”

This was indeed a roll of honour to be proud of. “What a roll of honour, and he took great pride in you, his daughter Clíodhna playing for Lisnaskea Emmett’s and Fermanagh, and was never negative.

“He was also so proud of you Clíodhna since the day of your birth, and of all of your achieve-ments.

“Gerry grieved for Ursula every day since she died, but now he is back in her arms.”

Mourners who knew the boy with the golden hair when he wore the bright armour of youth in those sweltering late 70’s summers, “with that lovely languid left foot” left his funeral knowing he will not grow old.

 

Gerry McElroy died on Saturday, April 6, 2024 peacefully in the excellent care of staff at the Intensive Care Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the dearly beloved husband of the late Ursula (Nee McDermott); devoted father of Clíodhna (Joe Oguz), and an adored grandfather of Ada. The son of the late Kevin and Margaret McElroy; loving brother of Anne Cadden (Edmund), Kevin (Bernadette), Jim (Patricia), Helen and Peter (Breda).

Family flowers only; donations, in lieu, to the Intensive Care Unit, Altnagelvin Hospital and Emergency Department, South West Acute Hospital. Cheques payable to ‘Swift and McCaffrey’ Funeral directors, Derryree, Lisnaskea, BT9 2OLA.