When news broke late on Friday night that Gerry has passed away we were all deeply saddened. Gerry Moley was a true Gael and a devoted Crossmaglen Rangers man. Born in Cregganduff on the seventh of April 1935, he had four sisters and four brothers. Gerry is survived by sisters Kathleen and Mary and Brother Gene.

Gerry married Rose McShane and they settled and reared their five boys in the centre of Cross, The Square where they opened their cafe ‘The  Glen Cafe’. Rose and Gerry were devoted to their children , Gerard, Miceal, Francis, Paddy and Paul. We all have fond memories of getting delicious burgers and chips from Rose who often could be heard singing while she cooked! Gerry and Rose’s other business was Moley Coaches which made them a household name the length and breadth of the country and it was here that so many of us have such fond memories of Gerry, wether it was driving the school bus, driving teams to matches (sometimes a very difficult and dangerous job when the troubles were at their height) or driving bus loads of young revellers to places like the Oasis in Carrickmacross. I think everyone would agree he had the patience of a saint and was always so pleasant and helpful, reassuring to players when things didn’t go right on the football field or to children if they had a bad day at school. I can recall victorious teams returning to Cross with the silverware on board, Gerry doing the laps of the Square, the bus horn blowing and the occupants shouting “just one more lap Gerry”!

He loved a good yarn and easily could of went down the road of storytelling. Rose and Gerry both had deep faith and went on many pilgrimages even venturing as far as the Holy Land where I believe they prayed a lot but that the craic was ninety in Jerusalem!

Gerry was a true Irish man, he loved Ireland, its people, culture and above all its music.

One of the highs in Gerry’s life which we he recalled in recent years was driving the bus to the All Ireland Club final in 1997, Gerry had never before drove a team to an All Ireland final in Croke Park. Gerry’s two sons, Miceal and Patrick were both part of the squad and as Gerry said himself, he was at the helm. This was to be the biggest bus journey of Gerry’s life, not to be remembered for the distance but the significance of the occasion and what a proud evening it was for him to drive into the Rangers Hall escorted by the fire brigade with Andy Merrigan on board. History had been made that day and it also was the start of an amazing journey in our club history which Gerry was an inaugural part of. Another success that pleased Gerry immensely was when Armagh lifted Sam in 2002.

Gerry was devastated when his soul mate and best friend, Rose took ill. His dedication, love and care for Rose was phenomenal and he was broken-hearted when Rose died in April, 2012.

Gerry enjoyed the craic with his beloved thirteen grandchildren and three step grandchildren who he doted on and Granda Gerry to them was a legend.

The outpouring of sympathy from near and far, all the beautiful comments which have been posted online since news broke of Gerry’s passing are truly well deserved and fitting for a true gentleman who touched so many lives and a life lived so well. We hope that all these kind gestures and beautiful words will give comfort and strength to Gerry’s family in the days ahead. Gerry you will be sorely missed but your legacy will live on and will remain an inspiration to us all.

We thank Gerry for his dedication, hard work, passion and commitment to Crossmaglen Rangers.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dillis.

Due to the passing of Gerry Moley, all games and activities in the club were suspended. A new date and time for the Maghery game has not yet been confirmed.