It is with sadness that we hear of the passing of Life Member Gerry Clarke at the age 98, our oldest Club Member, on Saturday 24th January 2026.
Gerry was a keen sportsman, playing Rugby in his earlier life and playing Tennis for many years after his Rugby days.
Gerry Clarke was full back and was a place kicker on the first Terenure College RFC team to win the Metropolitan Cup and Junior League Double in the early 1950's, the youngest member of the team.
The following season, when losing 0-3 in the last minute of the first round versus RCSI on a very wet Donnybrook pitch, with a very greasy ball, Gerry kicked a penalty from the touch line. The final whistle went and the match was drawn. Terenure went on to win the replay, then in due course retain the Metropolitan Cup that year, in effect doing a double double, the first trophies won by the club..
Gerry also played out half, wing and centre and was known to have great hands and “never drop a pass”! Former coach John Church said Gerry probably would have been the club’s first international full back if he didn’t have to retire from rugby after knee surgeries. Gerry was told he might never run again, but went on to win 50 tennis caps for Ireland instead.
Later in life Gerry won the British Open o80s tennis twice, then also won the o85s for two years, giving him a world ranking of 10. Gerry won many national tennis championships and events around the country. He was a trustee of Templeogue Tennis Club and former Mens Captain, having been club champion a dozen times, as well as many doubles and mixed doubles titles, including in the days when singles and doubles finals were best of five sets!
Gerry was a long time supporter of Terenure College RFC, and was a regular attendee at League and Cup matches over the years.
We send our deepest sympathies to Gerry's wife Breda, sons Julian and Peter, grandchildren Christopher, Sarah Jane, Rachel, Molly and Alex, as well as Kate, Susan and so many in the sporting world.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a hAnam
Link to funeral arrangements here >>
Gerry was a keen sportsman, playing Rugby in his earlier life and playing Tennis for many years after his Rugby days.
Gerry Clarke was full back and was a place kicker on the first Terenure College RFC team to win the Metropolitan Cup and Junior League Double in the early 1950's, the youngest member of the team.
The following season, when losing 0-3 in the last minute of the first round versus RCSI on a very wet Donnybrook pitch, with a very greasy ball, Gerry kicked a penalty from the touch line. The final whistle went and the match was drawn. Terenure went on to win the replay, then in due course retain the Metropolitan Cup that year, in effect doing a double double, the first trophies won by the club..
Gerry also played out half, wing and centre and was known to have great hands and “never drop a pass”! Former coach John Church said Gerry probably would have been the club’s first international full back if he didn’t have to retire from rugby after knee surgeries. Gerry was told he might never run again, but went on to win 50 tennis caps for Ireland instead.
Later in life Gerry won the British Open o80s tennis twice, then also won the o85s for two years, giving him a world ranking of 10. Gerry won many national tennis championships and events around the country. He was a trustee of Templeogue Tennis Club and former Mens Captain, having been club champion a dozen times, as well as many doubles and mixed doubles titles, including in the days when singles and doubles finals were best of five sets!
Gerry was a long time supporter of Terenure College RFC, and was a regular attendee at League and Cup matches over the years.
We send our deepest sympathies to Gerry's wife Breda, sons Julian and Peter, grandchildren Christopher, Sarah Jane, Rachel, Molly and Alex, as well as Kate, Susan and so many in the sporting world.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a hAnam
Link to funeral arrangements here >>
