Galway and Mayo join in outpouring of sadness after death of Geraldine Feerick

THERE has been a huge outpouring of sadness along the Galway-Mayo border country with the news of the passing of Geraldine Feerick, Coalpark, Clonbur. She was formerly Joyce from nearby Cloughbrack and was a member of a prominent GAA family in the region.

Geraldine was a sister of Stephen Joyce, winner of five Connacht senior medals with Galway in the 1980s as well as National League medal in 1981. He also won an All-Ireland Vocational Schools medal with Mayo in 1975 while a pupil at Ballinrobe VS.

Geraldine, who was in her mid 50s, and was principal of Cloughbrack NS, played senior football with Mayo and Galway and was very much at the heart of the community life of this beautiful part of Joyce Country.

She was blessed with a warm, humourous and engaging disposition that endeared her to so many people and the pain being felt by so many on her passing is palpable throughout the region.

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) was among those leading the tributes to Geraldine. “We are deeply saddened to learn of Geraldine Feerick’s passing. Geraldine represented Galway, Mayo, Coláiste Mhuire in Tourmakeady, The Neale and Cumann Peil Naomh Padraig, among others, during her playing days, and she was also a selector on the TG4 Underdogs series. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.”

The late Geraldine Feerick. (Pic: rip.ie)

Last year, The Friends of Ger, came together to help with the substantial costs involved in her ongoing cancer treatment. In a post at the time, they said: “Ger has been so good and had a positive effect on so many lives down the years and now she needs our help.

“Geraldine has taught and shaped numerous children in our parish over the past 35 years. She has instilled a grá in these children for sport, music and the Irish language. Ger was instrumental in underage age football and ladies football here in Clonbur. From founding the ladies club to being chairperson of Coiste Peile na n-Óg, Ger has been instrumental in many club successes.”

In 2021, Ger was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. Following treatment and surgery she was expected to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, it returned in 2023 and she later underwent specialised treatment in Germany and the UK.

An Fhairce (Clonbur) GAA Club said Geraldine had such an influence on the district: “Geraldine's legacy and influence stretches into every part of our club, at adult and underage level, as a player, coach, club officer, chairperson of Coiste Peile na Òg for several years, as organiser of numerous Ger's Camps, fundraisers, and most recently as a player with her beloved Mothers & Others to mention just a few.

“We will be forever grateful for the dedication and love of Gaelic games that Ger helped instill into the hearts of so many of our club members.”

Reposing was in Burke's Funeral Home, Clonbur, on Monday evening where a huge crowd gathered to pay their respects to Ger and the family. Removal took place afterwards to Saint Patrick's Church, Clonbur. The funeral Mass takes place today (Tuesday) at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Rosshill Cemetery, Clonbur.

Geraldine, who was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary Joyce and her nephew Michael, will be greatly missed by her heartbroken family, husband Tom, son Paddy and daughter Aimee, sisters Christina and Rita, brothers Martin and Stephen, aunt Sally, mother-in- law Mary, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces, relatives, neighbours, friends, and past and present pupils in Cloughbrack NS. May she rest in peace.