Kilmainham & Meath GAA mourn the passing of Declan Black

Declan Black- RIP🔴⚫💔

Lovable, supportive, reliable, relentless, resilient, dedicated and determined. There are not enough words to describe our dear friend, neighbour and clubman Declan Black who sadly passed away on Father’s Day Sunday 15th June 2025. It is impossible to sum up what he meant to us, and to our club.

Where would Kilmainham GFC be today, were it not for Declan’s tireless hours of work and dedication? Our club meant everything to him, and he meant everything to our club. Some local kids thought Declan owned the pitch because that’s where he could always be found, painting walls, marking pitches, cleaning gutters, cutting hedges, sweeping and mopping the clubhouse, doing lineman, umpire – and always with a friendly greeting and a smile. You name it, he did it. He acted as Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and committee member for years. He drove our club forward year after year with his enthusiasm and creativity, always trying to improve our club grounds and facilities. His secretary reports at our AGM’s were something we looked forward to. No one could present the reports like Declan, they were meticulous, well written, and they accurately recorded the yearly club events. He was relentless at club fundraisers; he raised thousands down through the years and was always the first one to run short of tickets to sell. No one could say ‘no’ to Declan when he was selling a ticket simply because he was such a great supporter of all GAA and Charity fundraisers and was always the first man to put his hand in his own pocket. As recently as Sat 24th May 2025, a horrible, wet night, Declan stood outside the church gates for the annual collection. Despite his illness, and terrible weather he was ready to raise money for our club – the club that meant so much to him throughout his life.

Declan was a proud man. Proud of his community, the people, and the work they did together. He was proud to welcome teams to play in Kilmainham to showcase Kilmainham’s fine club facilities. He was the first to get organised and would ring everyone he knew to make sure that the games were well stewarded. Declan was proud of the official opening of our club pitch on Sunday 30th April 2017. Meath welcomed Down to Kilmainham. A historic day for our club and proud day for Declan. The opening was postponed numerous times because Declan was a perfectionist – and Declan ensured it was perfect. On the day of the game, the grounds were immaculate and drew great praise by everyone that attended. He took great pride in seeing Meath play on his home ground. In the same year, Kilmainham received the Meath GAA Club Grounds of the Year award. Another proud moment for Declan, all his hard work rightly receiving the recognition that he thoroughly deserved. He gave unbelievable dedication and service to our underage section Round Towers. He helped with every aspect of the club. He dedicated one week of his annual leave each year just to make sure that our Cul Camp was a success.

His commitment to his club was only rivalled by his equal commitment to Meath GAA. He volunteered as a Pairc Tailteann steward at All Age Meath matches. He was the current vice-Chairman to the Minor Board, acted as Secretary to the Minor Board and held various roles in the county board throughout the years. He was our club delegate to the county board for numerous years. If he wasn’t busy in Kilmainham getting things done, he was getting things done elsewhere – attending meetings in Pairc Tailteann or in Dunganny, stewarding at matches or just helping colleagues. While Declan was always busy, he was never too busy to help a friend. He never said ‘no’ when someone asked for his time. He was highly regarded and respected by everyone at County Board, club and community level. He gave over 30 years of loyal service to Meath GAA. He would travel the length and breadth of the country to attend Meath matches in all types of weather. Nothing could ever stop him. He was determined right to the end.

At club matches he was no different. He regularly attended all levels of local club GAA matches in Meath. His passion for Meath GAA and GAA in general was infectious. Even though his health was fading, he made it his business to attend the recent county board meeting on 7th May, such was his dedication to his club role and Meath GAA. Even though his health had deteriorated so much, he refused to miss the Meath and Louth Leinster Final in Croke Park. He went to great lengths to make that match when lesser men would have thrown in the towel. Declan was resilience personified. A true Gael gone too soon.

Declan was an amazing husband, to Helen, father to Conor, uncle, brother and friend. He was adored by his family. There was nothing that he wouldn’t do for them nor them for him. To Helen, Conor, Sam and Ann and all the Black family and friends, we offer our sincere condolences as a club to you at this difficult time. At Kilmainham GFC we really appreciate all the time that Declan and you as family gave to our club down through the years. We are here for you in the days, weeks, months and years ahead just like Declan was always there for us.

Declan, you have left our club a better place for you having been there, and for that we are eternally grateful. Time for others to follow in your inspiring footsteps, and to build on great legacy you have left behind.

Goodbye for now Declan, our friend, until we meet again. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam”.🙏