It was with a mixture of shock, dismay and mind numbing sadness that members and supporters of Killurin GAA club learnt to the sudden death of Gerry Dillon of Gorteen, Tullamore. Gerry was a very valued club member and served Killurin GAA in practically every capacity except chairperson. Gerry was instrumental in the momentous decision to found Killurin GAA club in 1985 - The Club was given permission by the County Board to affiliate in March 1985 and to select players from the three adjoining townlands of Killurin, Gorteen and Clonad. The inaugural Annual General Meeting was held on March 2 in 1985 and Gerry was elected as the first secretary - A position he held with great distinction for the next five years during which he helped the club build a solid foundation for the future. The first five years was an incredibly busy time as the club commenced the development of the pitch in Killurin. Gerry was a busy man as this development took place and provided a suitable home for the fledgling club. This culminated in the official opening of Bishop William Quarter Park in May 1994 and again, Gerry was to the forefront as the preparations were made for the big day and he compiled a special souvenir programme to mark the occasion - A fine publication that chronicled the history of Killurin GAA Club to that date. The most important part of any club is the games itself and success soon came on the playing fields with Killurin winning their first trophy in the 1988 Junior Hurling League - And Gerry was an integral part of the behind the scenes structures that allowed hurling to flourish on the playing fields. After stepping down as secretary in 1990, Gerry continued to serve the club in a variety of capacities. He was a brilliantly efficient treasurer and he held every other position except chairperson - a position that he was often asked to take but he never sought or took. He was a long serving club PRO and held this position at the time of his death. Like everything in his professional and personal life, Gerry was superb in this role as he ensured that all Killurin GAA Club activities received publicity in the local press and in the locality. Gerry worked for the local media for a while, doing match reports for the Offaly Express and Tullamore/Midland Tribune at different times while he was also a sports presenter for Radio 3 for a number of years after they came into existence in the early '90s. Gerry Dillon was also PRO of Offaly Bord na nOg for a spell and Irish Officer of the Offaly GAA County Board and Killurin GAA Club was delighted that he took on jobs at county level and did them with great distinction. He was also PRO of the Na Fianna Minor Hurling Club at the time of his death and was involved in St Sinchill's Camogie club. Gerry was at his best when there was a big project to be carried out - He was magnificent in the build up to the 1994 official opening and the development of the pitch. He was absolutely immense last year when he organised the trip to the Netherlands for the Special European Hurling Competition final - Overseeing the arrangements for the travelling party and helping compile a souvenir programme. He was delighted when Killurin won that prestigious title, he was a proud man when it was marked at a dinner dance in Tullamore last March and he reveled in the banter that this famous success led to in the greater Killeigh area. Gerry was proud when the 21st anniversary of the club was marked in 1996 and he gave great assistance to Na Fianna and St Sinchill's clubs when they hosted visiting teams for the national Feile finals in Laois/Offaly earlier this year. Gerry was an innovative officer, he was full of energy and enthusiasm and he often came up with ideas that no one else thought of but which invariably proved to be a resounding success. He was a brilliant organiser, he was capable, efficient and exceptionally meticulous and gave of his best at all times. He was both a policy maker and a man who could get things done - if there was no one else to do it, he did the job himself. This was demonstrated time and time again, not only in his commitment to the GAA but also in his work life as a long serving employee with Offaly County Council and in his work for the local community. He was involved in groups such as the local Golf Society, the Community Alert Committee, the Seven Blessed Wells Group and he worked tirelessly for parish functions and fundraising projects. He was instrumental in the setting up of a parish website a couple of years ago and contacted all the clubs in the parish, both sports and community, cajoling and encouraging them to submit news items in the site. He was regularly in demand to act as Master of Ceremonies at club and other events in the parish, a task he performed with typical efficiency. He was proud of Offaly's many successes in football and hurling, travelling far and wide to suport teams. He was thrilled with Killurin's progress and the timing of his death was particularly poignant as it occurred in the week before the Junior Hurling Championship final. Killurin's win over Ballinamere may not have been a classic but there was just no way Killurin could lose that game as we wanted to win it for Gerry Dillon. The biggest tribute that Killurin could have paid to Gerry Dillon was to win that game and our title was dedicated to Gerry. It was just so sad that Gerry was not around to see the game but we area fully aware of the crucial role he played over many years in providing the back ground support that has allowed the game of hurling to flourish and prosper in Killurin. Gerry Dillon was an essentially decent man. He was a good conversationalist, courteous and obliging above and beyond the call of duty . He was a person of great ability, a staunch friend and colleague and all of our lifes have been enriched for knowing Gerry Dillon. Killurin GAA club has lost a great servant, a tireless worker and a great friend and will certainly be a poorer place for Gerry's absence. To his heart broken wife, Dolores, children, Shane, Jennifer and Siobhan, brothers Paddy, Alo, Johnny and Tom; sister Marian, extended family and many friends, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam Midland Tribune - 29th October 2008 Tweet

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