It was with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the untimely death of lifelong member, former player, Captain and Club President, Colm Sherlock, after a long illness.
A graduate of the Skerries Colts team of the 1960s, which was the first underage team fielded by any club in Ireland, Colm went on to achieve legendary status among his peers in Leinster provincial rugby and on a wider national level following Skerries’ promotion to senior ranks in 1975.
Ever present as a rock-solid full back on the four-in-a-row Towns Cup winning teams from 1971-74, he captained the team in 1974 and subsequently captained the club again in the 1979/80 season.
A supremely talented and versatile footballer, Colm started his rugby life as a hooker and had the unique distinction of representing the Leinster Counties in that position while still a teenager before switching to full back and immediately being selected to represent the Leinster Junior XV in his new position.
His unwavering loyalty to Skerries RFC, and refusal to move to a more fashionable Dublin club is generally acknowledged to have cost him representative honours at the highest level.
A prolific place kicker, Colm was, on many occasions, the difference between winning and losing a match. This skill was epitomised when in 1975 he nervelessly kicked a late penalty from close to the halfway line at Lansdowne Road to enable Skerries overcome a star-studded Trinity College team and become the first junior club to beat a senior club in the Leinster Senior Cup.
Colm was also a constant in the club in his post-playing days, supporting teams home and away, and going on to be Club President in 2002/03. He also passed on his playing skills to his sons James, Paul and Michael, who each wore the Skerries jersey with distinction.
A gentle giant, his ultra laidback demeanour and no fuss attitude provided a reassuring presence to all who played with him and characterised his approach to life in general.
His legacy will live long with anyone who knew him and as one former teammate, when paying tribute to him, said ‘Heaven is in safe hands today’.
Our thoughts are with Frances, James, Paul and Michael and with the wider Sherlock family at this sad and difficult time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
