Former Irish Olympic runner Gerry O’Reilly has died, aged 61.
O’Reilly, who competed in the men’s 1,500m at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, was one of the best Irish middle distance runners of his era.
A member of Dunboyne AC from the age of nine, O’Reilly played both soccer and GAA before fully focusing on athletics when he turned 16.
He won the Irish Junior 1,500m championships before earning a scholarship to compete and study at the prestigious Villanova University where he ran sub-four-minute mile times on seven occasions, with a best of 3:54.60.
The Meath man finished runner-up at the NCAA 3,000m Championships twice and won six Big East titles. In recognition of these achievements, he was inducted into the Villanova Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dunboyne AC captain Tommy McDonnell paid tribute to O’Reilly and in a statement said: “A member for over 50 years, Gerry joined the club at nine years old. I had the privilege of being his juvenile trainer, watching him grow from a talented young athlete into an exceptional senior competitor and Olympian.
“Less than 12 months ago, we were fortunate to have Gerry back on the track in Dunboyne for the unveiling of a commemorative wall plaque in his honour. It was a wonderful day celebrating his Olympic participation and his many other incredible achievements – little did we think then what lay ahead.
“Gerry and his family have always been a massive part of our club, supporting us at every turn—none more so than his father Larry and his late mother Marian.
“On behalf of everyone at Dunboyne AC, we send our deepest sympathies and prayers to Gerry’s family.”