PASSIONATE sportsman Pearse McCormick was the driving force behind Belfast City Council’s first Gaelic football team.
The west Belfast man, whose death from a brain tumour aged just 49 was felt across the city, broke new ground for the GAA when he set up Belfast Gaels more than a decade ago.
It was not a straightforward task to introduce Gaelic games into what was once the bastion of unionism, but his determination and diligence soon saw players kitted out at Cherryvale playing fields for matches in the Ulster inter-firms competitions, as well as historic games against Dublin Corporation and the PSNI.
The shirt he designed for the team is now on display at the Ulster Museum as part of a Troubles exhibition.
Pearse was finance and systems manager in the council’s parks and leisure department, a role which combined his love of sports with a dedication to public service.
Born in Roden Street of Belfast’s Grosvenor Road, the eldest of a family of three boys and one girl, he had excelled at sport as a youngster at St Finian’s PS and St Mary’s grammar school.
If there was a school team he was generally on it, and in athletics he represented St Mary’s at All-Ireland level.
He joined Michael Davitts GAC and was full-back in a talented team which won county titles at under-14, 16 and minor level.
Pearse also played some games for the Antrim minors and would bookend his career with appearances for the county masters team in his forties.
He also lined out for the St Enda’s and St Agnes’s clubs over the years, managing the latter.
However, of all the codes his favourite was perhaps handball, for which he won county and provincial medals.
His long service to the Queen’s University handball club was recognised earlier this year with a special award.
If sport was important to Pearse, so too was his work.
He began his career at Belfast Health and Social Services Trust, where he met his wife Denise in the finance department.
He moved to the city council and, having completed a degree and MBA, rose quickly to take charge of the multi-million pound leisure budget.
After 20 years at City Hall, Pearse took up the post of head of corporate services at the Controlled Schools’ Support Council, playing an instrumental role in the establishment of the new education body.
However, illness forced him to leave the role after just a year.
He began suffering headaches and seizures in early summer last year and an MRI scan revealed the shocking news that he had the aggressive cancer Glioblastoma.
Pearse remained stoic throughout his gruelling treatment, never complaining at any point and focusing his energies on his beloved wife and their two young children, who he doted on.
Daughter Dearbhla (9) has inherited his competitive streak and doesn't give up easily, just like her dad.
And Pearse was so proud to see son Conleth (13) take up Gaelic football with the Carryduff club over the last year and take such enjoyment from the game.
Watching him run on to the pitch and score during a period when he was very ill, he turned to Denise and said: "That's one off my bucket list."
Denise said her husband was someone with a "good heart" who never had say a bad word about anyone.
The description repeated again and again at his wake and funeral was “gentleman”, with people across the city sharing stories of how he used his skills and expertise to help others, particularly in the GAA community.
"He was kind and generous and loved me and the kids greatly. We were his main concern and priority when he was diagnosed," Denise said.
"He was a great father and a husband and we are devastated by his loss."
Pearse McCormick died peacefully on October 23 and was cremated at Roselawn Crematorium following Requiem Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Carryduff.
