Warm tributes have been paid to one of Ballymacelligott's leading lights of the GAA, Jerry Savage, who passed away at the weekend, aged 87. Mr Savage played football for Ballymac and served as chairman, secretary and treasurer of the GAA club, having been the driving force behind its re-formation in the mid 1940s.
He also loved Scor and the cultural side of the club and took part in many Scor competitions, as well as serving as referee. He also had great pride in his home parish and community and was always willing to give a helping hand in organising local events, from GAA to handball.
Mr Savage, who travelled far and wide to support the Kerry football team, was a founding member of the Kerry Supporters Club and held the position of vice-president at the time of his death.
Paying tribute to the father of five this week, Kerry County GAA Board PRO John O'Leary said that his presence will be missed at venues such as Austin Stack Park and Fitzgerald Stadium, as will his pleasant personality and commentary on GAA affairs in the county.
A veteran Republican and Sinn Fein member, Mr Savage was described as 'a giant among Republicans in Kerry' by his friend, North Kerry Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris.
"His commitment to the struggle for independence since the 1940s never wavered," he said. "Jerry was an enthusiastic supporter of the Sinn Fein peace strategy which led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. He also played a key role in successive local and Dail elections, including my Dail election in 2002 and subsequent re-elections. He and another great Ballymac Republican, the late Brendy Bonn, probably canvassed more doors than anyone during those elections."
Deputy Ferris also paid tribute to the fluent Irish speaker's passion for all things Irish and extended his sympathies to his wife Maureen, sons Brendan, Brian and Kevin and daughters Elizabeth and Carmel.
Mr Savage was laid to rest in Rath Cemetery, Tralee on Tuesday.

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