There is great sadness in Ballaghmore this weekend following the passing of one of their much loved sons.
Ger England, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family after a long illness borne with great courage, dignity and humour.
Ger is predeceased by his parents Kitty and Joe, his sisters Reenie, Noreen and Celine, father-in-law Michael and sister-in-law Margaret.
He is deeply regretted by his loving wife Carole, daughters Jennifer and Stephanie, adored grandson Joe, sons-in-law John and Bradley, sister Esther, brothers Joseph and TF, mother-in-law Eileen, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, his very good neighbours and wide circle of friends.
A retired Garda, Ger was immersed in his local GAA club – Kyle GAA.
As a player, mentor and club official, Ger had many great days in the blue and white.
And the club remembered him with a heartfelt tribute on social media last night.
They said: “In Kyle, Ger was an iconic figure to both young and old alike.
“He was the kind of man that everyone has a story to tell – whether it’s back in those infamous days of ’77 which we might have heard about once or twice – when Ger was the youngest on the team and played in goal.
“To when he made the trips twice a week from Co Louth while stationed there to train and ensure a small club stayed going.
“He played in every position on the field and one sure thing, when he crossed the white line he gave every ounce for the blue of Kyle.
“He had a special gift of somehow winning over referees and I’d reckon could hold the record for more frees won certainly in his more senior days.
“There has to be special mention made of the trojan work that was done back over 20 years ago by him and some of his closest friends and club mates to purchase and develop what we all know now as Kyle GAA club grounds.
“We certainly had some great days which will always stay in the memory whether it’s winning the Junior A 1977, Junior B title in 1993, league titles, Kunior A in 2006 and 2009, or more recently our 2018 Junior B win,
“Ger was always good for a certain Chris de Burg song late on in the night.
“But the measure of the man was on days when things didn’t always go your way and the team would be flat and dejected after a hard to take loss, Ger had a presence that could somehow lift our spirits.”
Kyle contested the Junior B semi final last week and despite being very ill, Ger still managed to give a team talk before the game.
They continued: “I have to mention our last memory of Ger and Kyle GAA was last Wednesday night in Portlaoise when he somehow gathered his strength to not only get to the game but give us team talk before the game.
“It was ‘hair standing up on the back of your neck’ stuff and there was a good few grown men shedding a tear or two. It’s a memory that we will all cherish for the rest of our lives.
“I could go on and on but I still wouldn’t be able to find enough words that speaks enough of this man.
“All I can say is that we were the lucky ones to know you and honoured to call you our friend.
“RIP Ger We will never forget you.”
Ger will be reposing in Tierney’s Funeral Home, Roscrea (E53 NY70) on Saturday evening from 5pm to 7pm.
A private removal from his residence will take place on Sunday morning at 10.30am arriving in St. Moula’s Church, Ballaghmore (R32 RC53) for Funeral Mass at 11am.
Cremation will then take place in Shannon Crematorium on Monday.
Ger’s funeral Mass can be viewed on: https://youtube.com/live/eR6EqxH2-1w?feature=share
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