By Michael McMullan

FORMER Fermanagh manager Dominic Corrigan has described the late Gerry McElroy as one of the best forwards of his generation.

McElroy was laid to rest on Tuesday in Lisnaskea with hundreds of mourners in attendance from across Fermanagh and beyond.

Speaking on this week’s Gaelic Lives podcast ahead of Fermanagh’s Ulster Championship clash with Armagh, Corrigan said McElroy was one of the Erne County’s greatest ever forwards.

McElroy was also successful in management and was joint manager when Lisnaskea went all the way to the 2011 All-Ireland Intermediate title having won Fermanagh senior medals as the player with the Emmetts.

He was alongside Pat King when Fermanagh won the All-Ireland B Championship in 1996.

Before that, he was on the first St Michael’s, Enniskillen team to win the MacRory Cup in 1973 and won the Sigerson Cups with QUB where he was also player of the year

“Gerry was one of the most naturally gifted forwards of his generation,” Corrigan added in tribute to McElroy.

“He had a fantastic left foot and to go with that, he had a brilliant football brain. Gerry was a genius on the football pitch and a true gentleman off it.

“Everyone both respected and admired Gerry McElroy in St Michael’s College where he excelled in the early 1970s and was on the winning first-ever MacRory Cup team in 1973, a team was honoured in St Michael’s College last year. He excelled then for both Lisnaskea and Fermanagh.”

McElroy’s club also paid tribute: “Today is a sad day in the history of Lisnaskea Emmetts with the passing of one of its finest sons, the legendary but modest Gerry McElroy, one of the best forwards of his era and many eras before and since. A member of a famous football family.”

Fermanagh GAA also paid tribute to Gerry in a statement.

“We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Gerry McElroy, former joint county manager and county player,” it read.

“Gerry was a proud Lisnaskea Emmetts man, having played and managed his club to many titles as well as being a past chairman of the club.

“Gerry wore the Fermanagh jersey with pride for many years and caused many a problem for the opposition defence.”