Tributes to Fossa founder Gene Moriarty

Fossa GAA has led tributes to club founder Gene Moriarty who passed away unexpectedly on May 22.

Gene and Fossa GAA were almost all the one.

When he started secondary school in St Brendan’s in 1964 he was asked was he Crokes or Legion man?

He replied neither and this was the acorn that grow into the great oak tree that now is Fossa GAA club.

He was the club’s first secretary in 1970 and 1971.

He was chairman in 1976 and again from 1992 to 1994.

Three years ago, the club published a book to commemorate its first 50 years and Gene played an enormous part in this, his expansive knowledge and fantastic memories of all the happening in the club since its foundation were paramount to the success of the book.

Gene had a massive knowledge of all youngsters who played for Fossa and took a great interest in who they were, where their parents were from, grandparents and if any football or sporting connections.

He got great joy in club victories at all age groups but would burst with pride when players went on to represent Schools, Development Squads, Colleges, District and County teams.

He took great delight and immense pride in the last year when All Ireland medals, courtesy of David and Paudie Clifford came to the club followed by the club’s All Ireland club Junior win.

Currently Gene was serving as registrar and County Board delegate, which he has done for the last decade and his opinions were always valued at the club’s executive meetings.

Gene Moriarty was a founding member of Fossa GAA Club

Sadly missed and dearly loved by his family, his wife and best friend Margaret (Nee Murphy) and daughter Amy, brothers-in-law Noel, Gearóid and Seán and his wife Máire, sister-in-law Martina and her husband Brendan (Kelliher), nieces, nephew, Amy's partner Mikey, relatives, his many friends and all in the Fossa GAA Community.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”