A COUNTY Limerick man said he and his family were “overwhelmed with emotion” after his local sports club re-named its new pitches in honour of his four-year old son who was tragically knocked down and killed outside the club 42 years ago.
Gerry Lyons praised Caherconlish AFC for naming its recently redeveloped sports grounds, the Gerard Lyons Memorial Park, after his late son following its official opening in July.
Mr Lyons’ four-year-old son, Gerard Jnr, was knocked down by a motorbike and killed outside the club’s sports grounds on the occasion of the official opening of the club’s main pitch and the start of the soccer season on July 19, 1983.
The two teams that played on that tragic day 42 years ago, Caherconlish and Prospect, again turned out to play on the opening of the redeveloped grounds this July.
“I just want to thank all at the club for naming the pitch after my son Gerard, who was knocked down and killed outside the pitch by a motorbike the day before he was to start primary school,” Gerry Lyons told the Limerick Post.
“It was a great thought by the club and they erected a big stone with Gerard’s name on it and we had a big day for the opening of the new pitch and all my family were there,” he said.
“It was a very emotional day for all the family, especially for myself, I was especially proud to have been nominated to cut the ribbon on the day of the opening of the pitch named in honour of my son, Gerard Lyons Memorial Park.”
Mr Lyons said he would “also like to pay special thanks to the Caherconlish and Prospect teams for a great match, and also the Caherconlish community centre for providing food and refreshments on the evening.”
He described his late son as “a lovely lad”.
“He was very outgoing and always up to mischief. He was only just gone four years old on the 2nd of June, 1983, and he was about to start school the following day, but he was knocked down by the motorbike with two lads on the motorbike,” he said.
“He ran out to see the bike, that was years ago – but we will never forget it.”
Mr Lyons said the new Caherconlish grounds are “absolutely brilliant, the club has done a great job, and they are not finished yet, they hope to put a stand in there too, there is a great committee at the club”.
“When I went up to see the new pitch there was about 20 kids out on it playing, and it was great to see those kids there.”
A message posted on Caherconlish AFC Facebook page read: “The 26th of July 2025 will always be remembered as the day we officially opened The Gerard Lyons Memorial Park. It was a beautiful day that was filled with fun, laughter, memories and football.”
“We are so grateful to everyone that has helped us get to where we are today and we look forward to the next phase of our plan. This is just the beginning.
“We look forward to welcoming you all back to support the boys/girls and juniors in our very first season at The Gerard Lyons Memorial Park. Up the Lish.”
