Limerick club stalwart ‘touched the lives of so many people’

“HE WAS gentle, very quietly spoken, and a thorough gentleman. He touched the lives of so many people.”

The words of Senator Maria Byrne remembering her neighbour and friend Denis Broderick, who has sadly passed away.

Denis, who hailed from Abbeyfeale, but is synonymous with the establishment and success of Ballinacurra Gaels GAA Club, went to his eternal rest over the weekend.

A former deputy principal of St Kieran’s National School at Roxboro Road, he also served one-term on the old City Council between 1974 and 1979.

He stepped away from representative politics after that, persuading his friend, two-time mayor, the late Bobby Byrne to take his place.

Bobby’s daughter, Ms Byrne said: “When I first ran in 1999, one of the first people to come out and knock on doors with me was Denis Broderick. It's something I will always have with me. He was so committed to anything he got involved in.”

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Denis was the founder of Ballinacurra Gaels GAA Club, and played an instrumental role in securing their premises in Baggott Estate, as Ms Byrne explained.

“They were one of the final clubs in Limerick to receive a 99-year lease. It was something my father put forward. He worked with Denis to ensure they were left secure. They got one of the last 99 year leases with any sports club in the local authority,” she called.

President of Gaels to this day, Denis was also a well-respected volunteer within Limerick GAA, and particularly at Gaelic Grounds.

Away from the field though, he was also a force in the community, added Ms Byrne.

"He took an interest in everything. He was so interested in what was going on. He was interested in the residents association outside in Ballinacurra for many years as well,” she added, “He was a great all-rounder.”

Denis passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family in the care of the staff of University Hospital Limerick following a short illness.

The beloved husband of Fena and dad to Siobhán, Donogh, and Denise; sons-in-law Liam Gleeson and Oliver Nally and daughter-in-law Fiona (nee Breen). He was an adored grandad to Ailbhe, Cara, Conor, Keelin, Oisín, Róisín, Kieran, and Tiernan.

His funeral took place this Tuesday at St Joseph’s Church in O’Connell Avenue, and he was laid to rest at Stradbally Cemetery in Castleconnell after.

May he rest in peace.