A fitting way to remember GAA Club supporter Gerry

A GAA club have named their underage club Player of the Year award after the late Gerry Colgan, reports Stephen Farrell.

At the Ballyfermot De La Salle club executive meeting in January 2023, it was unanimously decided that this would be a fitting way in which to remember the effect Gerry had on the club.

The first recipient of the Gerry Colgan award was Saoirse Rafferty, a member of the girls u-12 football team who received the award before Christmas.

“Gerry was a big supporter [of the club], he was involved with various clubs in the GAA, with Lucan Sarsfields and ourselves,” said Paul O’Brien, Games promotion officer.

“Gerry had a keen interest, he attended a lot of the De La Salle games. He wouldn’t say a lot, but he said a lot by his actions,” said Paul.

While it was considered to run a tournament in Gerry’s memory it was felt that this may fade away over time, while the plaque which bears Gerry’s name for the underage award would be more long-lasting.

The late Gerry Colgan

“Gerry was also a massive supporter of Ladies GAA, the West County Hotel (which Gerry ran) sponsored the Junior competition in Croke Park,” said Paul.

Gerry was originally from Mayo and became a resident of Lucan.

Along with his brothers Pat, Frank and the late Joe, Gerry ran a significant number of bars, including Decies County Bar in Ballyfermot, the County Bar in Lucan, Spa Hotel in Lucan and the West County in Chapelizod.

Mr Colgan passed away on October 7 2022 after a short illness.

Paul noted that there were 20 names on the original award and is hoping that the Gerry Colgan award will have the same effect.

“Previous recipients of the award are still involved in the club,” Paul said.