‘It was never about Gerry Bennis. It was Patrickswell and Limerick’

Gerry Bennis, former Limerick GAA chairman

Agentle colossus might sound like a contradiction in terms but that’s what Gerry Bennis was. For Patrickswell and Limerick, he was just that. Influential without being overbearing. Forceful without being dictatorial. It was a balancing act he truly mastered.

“He was a leader among leaders,” says his nephew Gary Kirby.

“We all looked up to him. We respected him so much for what he gave to the club. To be honest with you, he was always there for everyone. People get involved in organisations for themselves but he was only in it for his love of the GAA and its people. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He always retained a positive attitude.”

For a man who gave so much to his club, it was appropriate he was alive to see his beloved ‘Well last month end a 13-year wait for a senior title, perhaps even more apt that it came against fellow parishioners Ballybrown. For over 50 years, he served his club with honour holding almost every officer’s role both during and after his playing career. From 1965 when he lined out at corner-back alongside his five brothers as the club claimed their first county title to his two stints as chairman to his most recent role as president, he contributed.

In the 1990s, Bennis was making waves as Limerick chairman but returned to save his club from financial ruin. Kirby fondly remembers his altruism.

“Gerry would have gone on further only the club was in dire straits financially. He came back and sorted it. He gave up so much to make sure the club he loved got back on a solid footing. He addressed the finance and cleared the debt. If he didn’t have to come back, it was certain he would have gone on to do big things in the GAA. I have no doubt he would have gone all the way to Croke Park.”

It was during his chairmanship Limerick enjoyed their most successful period of the last 40 years, claiming Munster titles in 1994 and ’96. “He put a lot of work into that. He was behind us all the way getting to the All-Ireland finals in ’94 and ’96. He brought a lot of unity, he brought everyone together. I know when I was captain of the team just how much he got behind the players. Anything we wanted, he looked after. All he wanted was the best for Limerick, to see the county get to Croke Park to try and break the duck up there. As I said, it was never about Gerry Bennis; it was Patrickswell and Limerick.”

Bennis’s trojan efforts behind the redevelopment of the Gaelic Grounds in the 2000s are well-known in the county as well as his heavy involvement in the Mackey county development draw. He was a most deserved recipient of the Distinguished Service to GAA award from the Munster Council in December 2011.

One line from Limerick chairman Oliver Mann’s statement last week upon Bennis’ death summed up the man: “Gerry will be sadly missed by his family and all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Mann paid him further respect: “Gerry was a person who devoted his entire life to his family and the GAA. The number of positions Gerry held at club, divisional board, county board and on various sub-committees are too numerous to mention, but at the end of the day whatever the position he held did not matter to him. If there was a job to be done in the GAA he just when ahead and did it.

“I have had the good fortune to know Gerry for over 50 years and the one word that springs to mind is ‘inspirational’, his enthusiasm for Gaelic games and culture knew no bounds.”

County secretary Mike O’Riordan now pays particular attention to Bennis’ influence in strengthening Gaelic games at post-primary level in the county in his position as servicing officer.

Part of Ardscoil Rís’ success in the competition – four titles in seven seasons – can be attributed to him. It was only last year that Bennis stepped down from the position.

“We’d greatly acknowledge the effort and work he put into primary schools in Limerick,” says O’Riordan. “A lot of the success the county has had in the Harty Cup and other school competitions wouldn’t have been achieved without the presence of Gerry and the phenomenal commitment he put into that role. He’s an immense loss to not only his club Patrickswell but Limerick GAA as well.”

Married to political activist Nora, Gerry lived on the North Circular Road and in his professional life gave a long service to An Post. His grá for the Irish language and Scór was well known.

He is survived by Nora, his daughters Gráinne, Muirne and Aedin and son Rory.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.