An appreciation of the late Ger Gavin

A great contributor to commercial life and Nenagh Éire Óg

It was with great sadness, on May 21, 2021, that word spread: Ger Gavin had passed away, called home without fuss, so typical of the man.

Ger was a man who gave his all to his family, commercial life and Nenagh Éire Óg. His whole-hearted support and guidance to Nenagh Éire Óg was unrelenting. Ger became Treasurer of the Nenagh Éire Óg club at a modestly-attended AGM. Liam Heffernan had suggested that the club finances required a different approach. Ger took up the mantle. Club and team meetings were held in the MacDonagh Park storage room, where one would struggle to find space, between broken bags of lime, lawnmowers and all types of implements - space was very tight indeed. Club meetings were also held at O'Meara's Hotel in the town.

Ger became Nenagh Éire Óg Chairman in 1984 after serving as a Treasurer and it was at this point, together with his fellow officers that serious discussions began about developing a clubhouse at McDonagh Park. Major fundraising initiatives were devised including a Lord Mayor election! These were further supplemented in later years by development of the club lotto and sales for the County Board Draw in which Éire Óg club has consistently had one of the largest ticket sales in the country.

It is now hard to believe that at this time the Éire Óg club did not have control over the playing fields in MacDonagh Park. It was a major cause of friction in the club that access to the ‘inside field’ was restricted to limited training. Ger's calmness and negotiating skills helped break the deadlock, which resulted in MacDonagh Park keys being handed over to the County Board, and in turn handed over to the Nenagh Éire Óg club. This caused our secretary Jimmy Minogue to ask “What does this mean?” and I replied “We can train whenever we wish.”

This was a major event, entailing all grades in the club being able to train whenever as discussed with the satisfaction of two of his fellow officers on return from the County Board Office with the keys. In truth, it opened up a whole new chapter for the club. There was a drive now to continually improve facilities with Ger leading from the front. Both the clubhouse, and the 2,000-seater stand were developed free from the burden of debt.

Ger was a modest man but gained great satisfaction from being awarded Munster Clubman of the Year award in 1989. The standout day of days for Ger was when Nenagh captured the county title in 1995 - a day he fondly remembered and recounted right up to his passing.

But for his relaxing pleasure, nothing matched the game of 45, played as many nights as possible in the week, in our new clubhouse. He played there up to his sudden passing. Ger's fondness and love of horses took him on many days out, to many race meetings across Ireland.

It was not alone in the GAA world that Ger made his mark, with his wife Bridie. A pound shop was the start of two more successful shopping outlets, part of Gavin's success stories in the commercial life of Nenagh.

Indeed as often reminded by a friend of mine, it was some achievement for a fellow who arrived into town on a broken-down bicycle. Sad to say, Bridie (neé Griffin, Thurles) also answered the final call since Ger left us. Two exceptional people who raised a family, who made and continue to make their contribution to trade, education and medical fields.

May they both rest in peace.

- Jimmy Morris, a long-time friend