Gerry Mullan gave full commitment to everything that he did in life – and for the right reasons.
While he was best known for his involvement with, and passion for, hurling and camogie, Gerry had a love of all things Irish: its history, culture, language, names and places.
Gerard Patrick Mullan was born in July 1934 in Draughton, near Fintona, Co Tyrone, the second son of Michael and Mary.
He was immersed in Irish culture, especially Gaelic games, his whole life. And while his interest was certainly not limited to Irish sports, in that field his contribution was exemplary.
He first became involved with Ballycran GAC in the 1950s when the family moved to Kircubbin (he later settled in Portaferry, where he lived the rest of his life).
He would have a long association with the club, serving as, amongst other things, player, team selector, club secretary and chairman, as well as county selector, county hurling manager, inter-county referee and Ulster Hurling Committee representative.
Gerry’s industry and dedication also saw him act a representative on county board and later Ulster Council levels in the GAA.
For decades he was involved in coaching hurling and camogie. He served as a referee for many years and then was involved in assessing and selecting referees when he hung up his boots.
His spells as manager included the Tyrone hurling team and with Liatroim camogie, who he managed to their first Down championship in the early 1980s, a time that he said was one of the happiest periods of his life.
Gerry, and people like him active at the grassroots in local clubs, were the pillars that sustained the GAA as it built up its strength over the decades, through times of considerable pressure during the Troubles and relentless antipathy from government and the media towards Gaelic pastimes – something that did not pass his notice.
He promoted and participated in Scór competitions, in ceili and set dancing, and was instrumental in encouraging the setting up of Irish dance lessons on the Ards Peninsula.
He loved history, folklore, traditions and the Irish language too, and during a life spent reading he built up an extensive book collection reflecting his catholic and eclectic interests in the history and culture of the island of Ireland and beyond.
His spells as manager included the Tyrone hurling team and with Liatroim camogie, who he managed to their first Down championship in the early 1980s, a time that he said was one of the happiest periods of his life
Gerry made blackthorn sticks and taught many, including his grandchildren, how to make St Brigid crosses and distributed them widely – he was eager to ensure Irish traditional crafts were enjoyed and passed on to the next generations.
But while he had many interests and was active in them for decades, it was his family that mattered most and of which he was most proud. He was devoted to his late wife Eileen to whom he was married for 51 years, as well as his children, grandchildren, his siblings and their wider families.
Given his love of family and unshakeable Catholic faith, Gerry’s interest in the wellbeing of others never left him.
He was a strong trade union man and a first aider in Shorts, where he gave 45 years of service. And his dedication also manifested itself in his personal pledge to the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association – he was a lifelong Pioneer.
Gerry loved life, he was very sociable and enjoyed company; up to his final days his lust for life and pleasure in talking with others never left him.
He was always an avid reader, especially of Irish history, and as his health began to fail him he could continue to enjoy reading, including The Irish News every day, even in his last week.
He enjoyed a long and happy life: a life well lived and lived to the very end. He is dearly missed by those who truly knew him.
Gerry Mullan died on December 31 2022. Predeceased by his dearly loved wife Eileen, his brothers Joe, Michael, Barney and Peter and baby sister Rosina, he is survived by his sister Philomena and brother Des and his children Mary, Geraldine, Conleth, Áine, Fintan and Dermot.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.