The late Jerry Daly The death of Jerry Daly has left a considerable void in the GAA world in Britain. Although London GAA had begun to come to terms with the loss of the Associations longest-serving county board officer, such was Jerry's outstanding legacy, the general consensus since his death had been that replacing the irreplaceable will surely be the Board's greatest task. Jerry Daly's involvement in London GAA dates back to 1943 when he left his native Kerry to settle in London. He was one of the founder members of Naoimh Mhuire football club and remained attached to the club throughout his distinguished life. In over 60 years Jerry witnessed some of the greatest developments in GAA in London including the acquisition of both New Eltham and Ruislip playing facilities and the organisation of the annual Whitsun Wembley Games in the '60s and early '70s. Before the Wembley tournament came the games played at Mitcham during the '50s when the famous Wexford and Tipperary hurling teams of the era were among the participants. Jerry Daly joined the Board in 1948 as Registrar under the chairman of fellow Kerryman Mick Walsh. The acquisition of New Eltham was underway at that time and completed in the early '50s. Assistant Secretary was the next post he held on the Board until he was elected County Secretary in 1958 which he held for nine years and included spells under the chairmanship of Jim Mullarkey and Jim Conway. After being succeeded by Frank Sheehan in 1967 Jerry Daly became the County Board's official press officer, Mick Walsh and Jerry had already forged successful links with the media both in Ireland and in Fleet Street when Gaelic games did not have the kind of profile it enjoys today. Among Jerry's most popular contributions was his Longael column in the now defunct Sunday Press. He was also a regular correspondent for the Irish Examiner and The Irish Post. Jerry also served on the Minor Board as Secretary from 1967 and was one of the founder officers in the London Schools Board just three years ago. Fellow Kerryman and former County Secretary Pat Griffin said: "Jerry had left a tremendous legacy with regard to records and history and that can also be attributed to his media connections. On Sunday evenings Jerry always attended to his duties of sending reports to the various newspapers. However what many people may not know was that Jerry was largely self-educated." London GAA Trustee Frank Sheehan also spoke about Jerry's enormous contribution to London GAA. "I knew Jerry since 1955 when he was Registrar. I served as his assistant for six years. Jerry's impeccable record speaks for itself. Can any association claim a member to be so attached and so loyal for so long?" London GAA and the Irish community offer their deepest sympathy to Jerry's family - his wife Claire, daughter Mary and four sons John, Ronan, Michael and Fergus. Courtesy of the Irish Post 08 April 2006 Tweet

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