On Sunday evening last the 8th of January, former Ballybay Pearse Brothers senior player and whose voice is known worldwide, Gerry Finlay returned home to make a generous contribution to the club which holds a special place in his heart. Having emigrated from his native country over forty-five ago, Gerry never forgot his roots and returns to the Ballybay up to five times a year. Now living in New York, Gerry has become a very successful businessman in the Long Island area of the city, who now owns several restaurants, with the famous Shandon Court been the jewel in his crown.
Since the untimely death of his brother Kieran Finlay in 2012, Gerry has run several high-profile fund raising events in the New York area as part of the Kieran Finlay Memorial Fund New York USA. Alongside the Ballybay Pearse Brothers, the fund has also made a very sizable donation to The Mater Hospital Dublin, where Kieran received treatment during his illness, to support their work in cancer research and in particular to help find a cure for Myeloma.
Anyone associated with the GAA knows the name Kieran “Jap” Finlay as a legend that goes down as one of the greatest forwards to ever play the game. His reputation is still as strong today as ever, and the success of the fund-raising events in his honour on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt.
During the presentation, Gerry said thanked
all those who contributed in any way but felt it would be unkind not to single out his wife Deborah Schmit Finlay, his children Sara Finlay Keenan, Shauna Kate & Brian along with all the staff of the Shandon Court for their help and efforts throughout the duration of this campaign.
Fund raising events will continue this year with a golf classic taking place on Monday the 11th of September 2017. The club would be delighted & actively encourage club members in a position to do so, to consider attending as representation for the Maroon & White as it could only help promote the event and make it an even greater success. Additional info can be got from the Ballybay Pearse Brothers or online via http://www.shandoncourt.com/
At the presentation on Sunday night, which took place in the Ballybay Pearse Brothers Club House was from left to right: Paddy Kerr (Club Treasurer), Paul Finlay (Son of Kieran Finlay), Gerry Finlay (Founder of the Kieran Finlay Memorial Fund New York USA), Cillian McAviney (Chairperson of Ballybay Pearse Brothers), Niall Duffy (Assistant Chairperson of Ballybay Pearse Brothers) and Laura Finlay (daughter of Kieran Finlay).
To Gerry and all those involved, the Ballybay Pearse Brothers would like to say a massive thank you for your generous contribution and we wish you all the success in the world for your future ventures. Thank you again for your wonderful contribution.
By Majella Boyd Wed 11th Jan
