Death of Roscommon legend
January 05, 2016
Those great Connacht Senior Football teams of the late 50's. Front l-r: Jack Mahon, Cathal Flynn, Packy McGarty, Sean Purcell, Willie Casey, Tom Dillon, Jackie Coyle. Back l-r: John Nallen, Mattie McDonagh, Gerry O'Malley, Nace O'Dowd, Gerry Kirwan, Frank Eivers, Mick Greally, Aidan Brady.
Legendary former Roscommon football captain Gerry O'Malley, considered by many as the greatest ever to represent the Primrose and Blue, has passed away.
Regarded as one of the best footballers never to have won an All-Ireland, O'Malley captured four Connacht SFCs during the course of an intercounty career that spanned three decades.
He represented Roscommon from 1947 until 1964 and captained them in the '62 All-Ireland final against Kerry. Gerry was also a gifted hurler and won an All-Ireland junior medal in the small ball code in 1965.
The St Brigids great represented Connacht in football and hurling. He served Roscommon County Board as president and trained St Maurs to Dublin junior and intermediate titles in 1972 and '73.
Roscommon GAA chairman Seamus Sweeney told RTE: "It is with great regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Gerry O'Malley of the St Brigids club, a true Roscommon legend.
"Gerry was a good friend to Roscommon GAA, an inspiration to any team, and a football colossus.
"On my own behalf and on behalf of Roscommon people everywhere I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Mary, sons Niall and Conor his daughter in law and grandchildren on his passing.
"We were privileged to have known him, to have seen him and I can honestly say, ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann."
Tribute to Gerry O'Malley from Roscommon GAA
Roscommon GAA saddened to announce the passing of 'the Great Gerry O'Malley'
Seamus Sweeney Chairman of Roscommon GAA said it is with great regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Gerry O Malley a true Roscommon legend."Gerry was a good friend to Roscommon GAA, an inspiration to any team, and a football colossus.
On my own behalf and on behalf of Roscommon people everywhere I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Mary, sons Niall and Connor, his daughter in law and grandchildren on his passing. We were privileged to have known him, to have seen him and I can honestly say Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann." Gerry wore the Roscommon jersey with distinction from November 1947 all the way through to 1964.
In 1961, Gerry was chosen as the footballer of the year by the Association of Gaelic Sports journalists in a countrywide ballot. His performances in the Connacht finals of 1952 and 1962 are rated as his best. In '62, he played mid field and led Roscommon to a one-point win over Galway, and he was captain when Roscommon played in the All-Ireland final, against Kerry.
According to the match reports after the All Ireland Final "'Roscommon's chances of victory were hampered when their lion-hearted captain, Gerry O'Malley, after sustaining an injury in the first half was finally forced to retire to the bench early in the second half which virtually eliminated the prospect of Roscommon making any sort of a comeback.'
Despite being known nationally as the great footballer, Gerry's first love was hurling, and he joined Four Roads in 1945. Gerry does have an All-Ireland medal, though with Roscommon junior hurlers when they defeated Warwickshire in the 1965 final As well as representing Connacht in inter-provincial football, he also lined out with the Connacht team in the Railway Cup hurling competition.
A much loved Roscommon icon the Roscommon GAA supporters club inducted Gerry to their Hall of Fame in 2009. Gerry also served as President of the Roscommon GAA county board. After his playing career ended Gerry went on to train the Roscommon county team lads in Dublin in 1970/71. He was living full time in Dublin at this stage.
In 1972, Gerry trained a Dublin football team, St Maurs, and they won a junior championship, and the Dublin Intermediate championship. He finally ended his active involvement in training in the early 1980s.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
