O'Meara, Gerard
January 14, 2011The sudden death of Gerard O'Meara of Corrovorrin Grove and Tulla Road, Ennis, on December 26 last came as a great shock to his family and many friends. The fact that his death occurred during the Christmas holiday period and at a relatively young age made his passing all the more sad and tragic.
Popularly known as Ger, he was just 56 years of age and on the day of his death was making arrangements to watch a televised soccer game with friends.
Born in Roscrea on November 15. 1954, he was a son of Mary O'Meara and late Michael O'Meara, who was Ennis CIE stationmaster from 1973 to 1981. A native of Kilruane, Cloughjordan, his death occurred in 1989.
For years, Ger worked in De Beers in Shannon and after early retirement was employed in Fitzpatrick's Tulla Road, now known as Mace. He was a well-known member of the staff and was highly regarded by customers. He was still employed there up to the time of his death.
Coming from a country steeped in GAA history. Ger always followed the fortunes of Tipperary hurlers. He was also involved in the GAA in Ennis where he was a great supporter of the Eire Og club and one of his sons, Sean, has figured prominently with the club's senior football team. Ger was also a past committee member of the club.
He also took an interest in soccer at local level and was a supporter of Avenue United, Ennis with whom his two sons, Sean and Darren played. He was also a past committee member of the Clare Schoolboys Soccer League.
Most of all he looked forward to playing a round of golf. It was a game in which he showed great promise from his school going days in Ballina, County Mayo and when he was 17 and attending college in Ballina, he had the honour of winning the captain's (Lea Loftus) prize at the local club. On that occasion, he set a new golf record for the club with a score of 56 nett. He continued his association with the game through the Roslevan Golf Society in Ennis and East Clare Golf Club of which he was a member. The Sunday morning fourball in East Clare followed by the customary visit to Martin and Susan in the Cobblers in Bodyke on the way home was one of the highlights of his week.
Ger was also a great favourite among the customers in O'Keeffe's Bar in Ennis where he watched the big hurling, soccer and rugby games on screen. And with the great rivalry between Clare and Tipperary, there was bound to be friendly banter and Ger was not found wanting when it came to defending his native county.
Testimony to Ger's immense popularity was the huge numbers at the removal of his remains from Daly's Mortuary Chapel to St Joseph's Church, Ennis, on Wednesday, December 29 and again at the mass and funeral to Drumcliffe Cemetery the following day. Members of Eire Og provided a guard of honour on both days.
Sean O'Meara paid tribute to father as a great family man and sports enthusiast while Darren O'Meara also paid his tribute as did John O'Reilly, a friend. Kevin O'Meara, a brother of Ger, spoke on behalf of the family and thanked the kind neighbours and friends who came to their assistance during their time of mourning.
Fr John McGovern, St Joseph's, was chief celebrant of the funeral mass assisted by local priests and Canon Frank Mulvey, Cardiff.
Ger is survived by his wife Eilish (nee Glynn); sons, Sean and Darren; mother, Mary O'Meara; brother, Kevin; sister, Dymphna Smyth; nieces; nephews; relatives and many friends.
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