The death took place on New Year's Eve in the Tilery Nursing Home on the Swanlinbar Road, of John Drumm, a native of Dresternan, Derrylin. He was 91.
His demise, occurring within five minutes of that of his lifelong friend, Paddy Maguire in The Graan Private Nursing Home evoked widespread shock and sadness. Both were, at the time of death, joint honourary Presidents of Derrylin O'Connells GAC.
A guard of honour, formed by club members, awaited the remains on its removal on Sunday evening to St Ninnidh's Church, Derrylin. Club members, preceded by a lone piper playing a lament carried the coffin inside.
Fr Fintan McKiernan, PP, was the principal celebrant of the con-celebrated funeral Mass on Monday morning. He was assisted by Rt Rev Monsignor Michael Cooke, Fr Sean Mohan, Fr P.J. Corrigan and Fr Tommy Mannion.
The eulogy was delivered by well known Derrylin clubman, Martin Mcbrien. He said many great GAA men had monuments and plaques erected in their name. However, these same people would be the first to acknowledge the contribution of far greater numbers, people like John Drumm working behind the scenes at club level.
"They don't seek high office nor indeed offices of any kind, nor do they ever seek recognition or reward for their labours. If I may quote from Pericles: 'What you leave behind is not what is engraved on stone monuments. It's what is woven in to the lives of others." Martin recalled that, since the redevelopment of the club in 1950, with generations of players and officers here and gone, John was always there, supporting teams: "He hardly ever missed a match and was working away in the background, lining out pitches and when asked, acting as umpire, a job he hated!
He went on:" He did come to a degree of prominence within the club when he was appointed as full-time groundsman for a period in the early 80's, work that for him was surely a labour of love and, no doubt, the highlight for him was the official opening of the dressing -rooms and pitch in 1983 in preparation for what he did a mountain of work."
And, in August, 2010 came the deceased's last official attendance when along with his good friend, Paddy Maguire, he cut the tape to mark the opening of the club's splendid new pitch.
Mr McBrien suggested that he deceased's nickname, "The Honest Man' as an appropriate one.
"It's how Derrylin football club will remember him", he concluded.
Mr Drumm was pre-deceased by his wife, Molly and their son, Sean. he was 21 when he sustained life-changing injuries when he was knocked down by a car in main street, Derrylin. He lived for another 10 years.
He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen (Gerry), Dublin and Eileen (Noel), Butlersbridge and by four grandchildren, Ciaran,Aidan, Shauna and Cahir. He was the last of his family. The Drumm family, through the Herald paid tribute to the staff of Drumhaw Home in Lisnaskea and The Tilery PNH for the care they gave their father, and to those who had cared for him in his own home.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Pat Blake, Derrylin.

Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald
4th January 2012. Tweet

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