A large crowd from many counties gathered at the Funeral Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Belleek to say goodbye to Gerry Gallagher - a towering citizen of Keenaghan who was larger than life in so many ways.

He had a voice like rich, warm wine - it would have been a great radio voice, and this former teammate heard it on the upper scales a few times.

That was when you knew you were in for a bollocking, in my case usually deserved, and it was accompanied by that famous shaking of the head.

All this came flooding back while standing in a guard of honour with some of Gerry’s 1979 and 1981 team-mates when his coffin was brought to the chapel.

But the deep voice encapsulated a proud passionate man. A complex and compelling character who drew strong emotions, as do all people who make their mark.

Around Belleek he certainly did just that, and if anything, he was too passionate.

He was so tenacious, at times ‘thran’, but he had sincerity in spades and was highly eloquent and a fine writer.

Near enough was never good enough for Gerry, and he could never understand those who slithered their way through life, and he had no time or patience for wafflers or for those who blow with every breeze.

Commitment to club and county was everything to his eclectic man who was a teacher, a salesman, a courier, a customs clearance official, a shopkeeper and a community worker in his rich and varied 73 years on earth.

He was a legend in his own Erne Gaels club and Fermanagh, a county he captained to an All-Ireland U-21 final in 1971, and he managed the county Minor team in the mid-1990s.

But his greatest achievement was in captaining Erne Gaels to a county championship in 1979 by beating Teemore in the final and ending a 30-year famine where, in his typically candid way, he told this writer that he “was not very effective".

But two years later, he was the Man of The Match against Belcoo when the Gaels took another county title.

Shrewd judges say that Erne Gaels would not have won those county titles without ‘Gallagher’. Never any need for first names.

As a player, he had great hands, positional sense, was a wonderful passer of the ball, and a tactician ahead of his time, exceptionally driven - and boy, did he hate to lose!

Off the field he played a huge role in accessing funding for the club to relay its current pitch in 2001 along with his brother, Raymond.

Gerry also managed the club at Senior and various Underage levels as well as the Erne Gaels Ladies team. He was also a county board delegate for many years.

But his reach went far beyond Fermanagh as he was very well known in Tyrone, and his wife is Deirdre Kavanagh, from Ballygawley.

Gerry played for and managed Ballygawley to a county final appearance in 1989, and he also managed Loughmacrory.

If anyone had any doubt about the esteem he was held in all over Ulster, you only had to be at his two-night wake that was attended by a galaxy of GAA figures from all over the Province.

Back to the great radio voice, as in 1984, Gerry conducted a series of interviews with old Gaelic footballers; departed legends like Thomas McGauran, Paddy Tunney, Eddie McCaffey, Seanie McCaffrey, Jack Gormley and John Doogan.

These interviews are on video and are a valuable source of social history for the area.

Gerry was also involved in quite a few community organisations around Belleek and Ballyshannon in latter years.

Around a decade ago, he was diagnosed with cancer, but he fought it with characteristic courage and resolve.

Fr. Frank McManus told the congregation that the mass was “showing solidarity with the family and there was great consolation for the family when people gather, in support and sympathy".

He continued: “It is always a consolation that a person’s life, their deeds and achievements are remembered, and that Gerry is valued.

“Gerry was a very passionate, whole-hearted man who will be remembered for his great displays for Erne Gaels and Fermanagh.

“But he was also a husband to Deirdre, a father and grandfather, and when it came to his family his passion knew no bounds.

“He was born in 1951 to Thomas and Rose Ellen Gallagher and brought up in Keenaghan.

“Gerry spent his early childhood helping on the family farm and went to the local primary school in Belleek, and then as a boarder in St. Michael’s, Enniskillen.

“From there he went to St. Joseph’s Training College in Belfast, where he qualified as a PE and history teacher.

“This brought him to Ballygawley and Tyrone, where he met his wife, Deirdre, and played football there and made many friends.

“But the call of Fermanagh was always there, and he came back to live in Belleek in 1979, the year he captained Erne Gaels to a county title.

“He is especially remembered on the football field for his exploits on the football fields of Fermanagh and Tyrone.”

Fr. McManus added that as a Teemore man, he had painful memories of losing to Erne Gaels in the county final of 1979 when Gerry was captain.

“In 1981, he was the Man of The Match when he moved to midfield and led Erne Gaels to victory.

“But he also took great joy in his children: Rory, Ronan, Claire and Rachel, and latterly all his grandchildren.

“Gerry was an ardent supporter, and his passion always went up a few decibel levels when his children were playing.”

Fr. McManus added: “Of course, you know he was not the most patient of men, and he never appreciated people being late, and that showed the high standards that he had.

“Forever the competitor, he took up cards, and his favourite spot was Whoriskey’s in Cashelard in recent years.

“Sadly, 10 years ago Gerry was diagnosed with cancer, and he had to face the limitations of illness, but he did that with renowned determination and he never gave in.

“In recent months he received much love from family and friends and the medical services.

“Gerry lived a rich, full life; very active, and to quote Michael Harding, 'It’s only now I realise how incomplete my life is and that my life can only be completed by God'.

“We now commend him to God’s mercy. Mercy is also about healing, understanding and reconciliation.

“Gerry Gallagher gave everything in this life and we pray that he finds completion in God, and we commend him to God’s mercy."

In a year when Erne Gaels are hoping to win their first county title since 1981, we should not forget the man who played such a huge role in the last two.

But whenever you hear the thump of an O’Neill’s ball in summer, whenever you hear the roar of the crowd, whenever you hear the cries of young children in Pairc na hEirne, whenever you hear the shouts of joy when Erne Gaels come out on top at home, you will feel his restless spirit in the winds that blow down his own field of dreams.

Gerry Gallagher is survived by his wife, Deirdre; children Rory, Ronan (Catherine), Claire (Estie) and Rachel (Paul); and beloved grandchildren; his brother Tommy (Eileen), his sister Vera (Brendan) his nieces, nephews and entire family circle.; predeceased by the late Raymond (Mary) and Mary RIP.

After his Funeral Mass, he was taken to the Lakelands Crematorium in Cavan.

Legends should never be forgotten.