THINK of a job and, over the course of 63 years of remarkable service to St Colman’s, Drumaness, you can be sure Gerry McDermott will have done it.
There alongside his father the day the County Down club was officially formed, and a constant source of inspiration ever since, there were few more deserving winners at last week’s Irish News School, Club and Volunteer awards.
And here’s why. Through the years Gerry has held the position of chairman, secretary, and has been the treasurer of Drumaness for the past 54 years.
He was also the senior referee for the club for many years, and continues to carry out the duties of umpire at every senior game, not to mention cutting the grass, marking the pitch, helping out with the lotto and even taking responsibility for the washing and cleaning of the adult jerseys.
In between all of that he somehow found time to write a comprehensive history of Drumaness, and last week Gerry’s efforts were rightly recognised when he was named ‘Club Volunteer of the Year’.
He still remembers that day in 1956 well; the start of a long and fulfilling journey.
“There was four men – Johnny Smyth, Paddy Toner, Gerry McMullan and Seamus Murdock. There was a club called Tir na nOg in Ballynahinch they had all played for, and because most of the players were from Drumaness they decided to move the club out to Drumaness.
“They called a meeting in the old school, I was there – I think about a dozen or 14 attended that meeting, my father [Joe] was one of them and he was the first treasurer.
“He only stayed a year or two and then I was landed with the job of treasurer for I don’t know how many years, then I was chairman for a while, secretary, and then back to treasurer…”
The list, as we already know, goes on. Actually playing football, though, is one job Gerry was all too seldom asked to do.
“I never was much good - I tried to play. When the club started first we had only the one team and I used to hope somebody wouldn’t turn up so I might get a game,” he says with a smile.
“It’s lovely to get this but I’m only one person – there’s plenty of volunteers in our club at the minute and everybody does their bit. Another man, the late Tom O’Prey, him and I used to cut the grass, mark the pitch… just whatever needed done really.”
The club grew steadily through the years, with the intermediate championship success of 1992 still a magic memory, as was watching clubman Peter Withnell help Down to the 1991 All-Ireland title.
Yet, regardless of success or failure on the field, Gerry has always been there – just doing whatever needs done.
“He’s been involved in basically every aspect of the club,” said club chairman Brian Fegan.
“He’s just a stalwart of the place, fit to have a wee go at everything and he values the loyal people at the club. He’s a man who has given an awful lot - it’s fantastic to see him recognised with this award.”
And for Gerry, that dedication to the cause will carry on.
“There’s no escaping now anyway,” he laughs, “not after this!”
