"He did everything for that club, it was like his second family"
October 02, 2020
Ballymun Kickhams' brothers Paddy and John Small shed tears following the Dublin SFC final win over Ballyboden St Enda's
Dublin and Ballymun Kickhams star John Small says he doesn’t think he would have even played in the GAA if it weren’t for his late father.
Small and his brother Paddy were both in tears following Ballymun’s Dublin SFC final victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s last Sunday, thinking of the joy it would have brought Declan Small who passed away last December.
Speaking on Off The Ball, Small said he was the heart and soul of the club for many years.
“The performance was so good and I was thinking what he would do to have seen that,” he said.
“The joy that would have brought to him, and that’s what [made it] so emotional.
“[He was] the heart and soul of the club, he did everything for that club, it was like his second family.”
He added: “I don’t think I would even be playing GAA if it wasn’t for him. He started up that Ballymun nursery up, and he was the one that pushed us to play GAA so we could be players for Ballymun Kickhams, so he could help progress the club.
“The love for that club was incredible and his drive for things like sponsorship to just try and help the club improve. Everyone in the club appreciated him.
“That’s when the emotion comes out. When you know someone loved something so much but didn’t get to witness it.”
Tweet
