Ballina mourns a man who touched the lives of so many

The sun shone over the Moy this afternoon as the people of Ballina bade farewell to a man who touched the lives of so many. The crowds who thronged the pavements and packed into St Muredach's Cathedral brightly illustrated the esteem Gerry O'Donnell was held in by so many in Ballina and beyond.

The Ballinrobe native and long-time resident of Ballina passed away earlier this week after a brief illness and his death has been greeted with great sadness throughout the region. A well-known businessman, Gerry was immersed in every aspect of Ballina Rugby Club and the men and women from Heffernan Park, led by club president, Adrian Bourke, marched beside his coffin as it was taken from the cathedral to his final resting place in Leigue Cemetery. 

Earlier in a heartfelt eulogy, Alan Rowe, chairman of Ballina RFC and life-long friend of Gerry, paid tribute to the man who was loved by so many. 

"Gerry had an unquenchable love for his family, the rugby club and life itself.
"He was my greatest friend. He was a rogue, but he was our rogue. He'd hate all this fuss today, but he'd put up with it because we might get a new player out of it. He saw every moment as an opportunity and was always on the lookout for men and women, boys and girls to wear the jersey.
"We adored the ground he walked on and to see the amount of six, seven and eight-year-old boys and girls crying for Gerry these past few days tells it's own story," Alan stated as he took the congregation through some of the unforgettable moments of Gerry's life and times, before closing with a highly appropriate delivery.
"Heroes are always remembered, but a legend is never forgotten. We salute Gerry O'Donnell, our legend, our G.O.D."
At the end of Gerry's Requiem Mass he was accompanied through the town to Leigue Cemetery by his beloved family and many friends from near and far. Numerous community and sporting organisations were represented as were rugby clubs from all across the island and beyond.
Gerry is survived by his wife Olive, their children Olga, Olwyn, Roger and Rodney; beloved grandchildren and a huge circle of family and friends.