Earlier today, at the Tailteann Cup Round 3 game against Tipperary, a minute's silence was observed for the late Gerry McGovern, R.I.P.
As a mark of respect, the Supporters Club draw scheduled for tomorrow evening has been postponed by one week and will now take place on Monday, 9th June, in Cox's.
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It was with profound sadness and a sense of loss that the Leitrim GAA community learned last evening of the passing of our serving County Safety and Facilities Officer, the late Gerry McGovern, after a brief illness. Indeed, no later than Monday, May 12th last, Gerry attended our Management Committee meeting and County Committee meeting and reported to the meetings in his usual meticulous manner, providing updates on the various projects that he was actively pursuing.
The late Gerry dedicated a huge portion of his life to GAA matters, from his playing days with his native Cloone GAA and Leitrim GAA, followed by a very successful refereeing career, right through to his massive involvement in GAA administration at all levels of the Association. While he represented Cloone GAA on the playing fields at all levels, with varying degrees of success, his finest playing hour came in 1980 when Cloone captured the Fenagh Cup to be crowned Leitrim SFC Champions with a 2-9 to 0-9 victory over their near-neighbours Gortletteragh. This victory placed the icing on the cake of a most historic year for Cloone GAA, as it coincided with the opening of St. Mary's GAA Park in the same year, a project Gerry was also heavily invested in, along with his entire community.
As his playing days came to an end, Gerry threw his lot in with refereeing and quickly moved through the ranks to become one of Leitrim's finest. As with all tasks undertaken by Gerry, he did so with care and attention, ensuring that he was on top of his game at all times. Gerry became a member of the National Referees' Panel and took charge of many important assignments at inter-county level. While taking charge of a multitude of club finals at all ages and grades, he was the 'man in the middle' of the Leitrim Senior Football Championship Finals of 1993 and 1999. One could be sure that no matter if the game was at under-12 or senior level, Gerry treated all refereeing assignments with the same level of high respect and attention.
While Gerry served his local club in a variety of officer roles over his playing days and while refereeing, he gave freely of his time towards the administration of GAA matters with Leitrim GAA. In his role as Assistant Secretary to Coiste na nÓg, then known as Bord na nÓg, in the 1990s, he shared in the administration that was in place to facilitate the great Connacht MFC success of 1998, a team captained by Cloone's Seamus Maguire, which was a source of great pride to Gerry. He became an officer of Leitrim GAA Senior Administration, serving in a multitude of roles from the Leitrim GAA Supporters Club and leading a variety of other fundraising ventures.
He assumed the role of Vice Chairman in the early 2000s and, on our first venture to play New York in the Connacht SFC in 2003, was instrumental in organising the Supporters' Club trip to the Big Apple, which was of invaluable assistance to many who were travelling stateside for the very first time. Gerry became Chairman of Leitrim GAA in 2005 and immediately set about the redevelopment of Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada with the planning and delivery of the New Stand facility, which commenced immediately following the SFC Final of that year. The reopening of the new facility in 2007, which was and continues to be the envy of many, was the culmination of two years of planning, which involved much fundraising and accessing a variety of grant funding. To this end, Gerry was the organiser-in-chief, and he surrounded himself with many fine helpers who delivered on the project. Almost running parallel with this project was the finalisation of the acquisition of the property that currently houses our Centre of Excellence in Annaduff. These were two mammoth simultaneous projects undertaken by Leitrim GAA, which will stand us in good stead into the future. While the ultimate development of the COE was stalled for a period of time, due to economic considerations, nonetheless it progressed nicely during Gerry's tenure. Indeed, as it readied for its official opening in 2019, Gerry was again to the fore in the 'Brick in the Wall' fundraising campaign, which contributed greatly to its ultimate delivery.
Before concluding his five-year term as Chairperson in 2009, Gerry was a very proud man as he got the opportunity to present the Frank Reynolds Memorial Cup to his native Cloone as they captured the Leitrim Intermediate Championship title with victory in Ballinamore over Aughawillan. It was the perfect end to his term of office. On the conclusion of his role as Cathaoirleach, he took on the role of Connacht GAA delegate for Leitrim and thus began a road towards higher office. He was elected Vice Chairman of Connacht GAA in 2015 and, following the conclusion of his three-year term, became President of Connacht GAA in 2018, which was a singular honour for himself, his family, and all associated with Leitrim GAA. From 2018 to 2021, while holding the highest position within the province, he was also a member of Coiste Bainistíochta in Croke Park, holding the position of joint Vice President of the Association.
Far from that being the culmination of his service to the GAA at all levels, when this term concluded, Gerry became Leitrim GAA Safety and Facilities Officer and, in more recent times, gave everything of himself to ensure that the county, and by extension its clubs, had the very best of advice and aid in the pursuit of various projects that helped to improve the infrastructure and development in many club areas. His most recent interest at county level was in the redevelopment of Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada. Once again, surrounding himself with a very vibrant working group, the delivery of the new seating project in 2023 and the relaying of the new playing surface, recently reopened, was a source of great satisfaction for Gerry. At the recent Connacht Championship match versus Mayo, as he looked on, he had to be very satisfied with his endeavours on behalf of Leitrim GAA. Far from finished with development, unfortunately, recent illness prevailed, and his last engagement with Leitrim GAA concluded at the meetings on May 12th last.
Gerry McGovern was one of a kind, and we are privileged to have had him on our side. He was a trojan worker and leader, but was also a great raconteur and excellent company. He was a most approachable and affable human being. We have endured a great loss, but that pales into insignificance when we consider the loss he is to his beloved family circle. To his loving wife, Kathleen; his sons, Ciaran and Gavin; daughter Jacinta; daughters-in-law Alison and Sarah; Jacinta’s partner Daniel; his adored 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 most heartfelt sympathy.
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