CLG Na Cealla Beaga remember the late Billy Broderick

As word spread of the tragic and devastating news of the death of Billy Broderick on Wednesday morning December 14th it struck at the very heart of his family, the community of Killybegs and Youghal, the wider community of Donegal, and our Club CLG Na Cealla Beaga.  

Billy was born in 1963 in Youghal, Co Cork, the son of Margaret Broderick (nee Conyard) from Killybegs and Billy Broderick Snr from Youghal. Billy spent many summers in Killybegs in his early days, eventually coming to live in Killybegs in 1977, where he lived with his grandparents Francis and Mary Ann Conyard and also spending time with his aunties.  

As it was quite normal at that time in Killybegs, Billy went fishing at the early age of 15 where he has spent the last 44 years fishing on various boats and striking up a great connection with the local fishing community all over Ireland and in parts of the UK.  

Like many Cork men before him, Billy had a great interest in Hurling, Gaelic football and Soccer (being a lifelong Leeds United supporter) and he was handy at the badminton in his early days also.  

On the GAA sporting scene it cannot be overstated or underestimated the impact and voluntary contribution that Billy gave to CLG Na Cealla Beaga for 40 years plus. He played at all underage grades from U-16 right up to Senior and you were always guaranteed 100% from Billy at all times. By any standards, his contribution to our Senior Reserve team over a 20 year period was second to none, as he gave a great playing service, secondly as player manager and finally as manager where he always managed to get a team out which was a great achievement. 

Billy then turned his time to becoming a club officer serving as Chairman of our Minor Board and also managing various underage teams with great success for many years. He then moved onto the Senior Board with one of his proudest moments, serving as Chairman of CLG Na Cealla Beaga at the official opening of Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park and development in 2010 which was officially opened by the GAA President Christy Cooney, himself a Youghal man like Billy.  

From there Billy continued to volunteer as part of the Club’s Park Committee and Club Executive right up until his death and like his playing career he gave it everything.  

Billy was exceptionally proud that his children Melissa, Cory, Evan and Kalen all played Gaelic football for Killybegs and he was very happy seeing the boys playing soccer with St. Catherine’s FC where Evan is the current team Captain. 

From everyone at CLG Na Cealla Beaga thank you Billy for being part of our club and our lives for 45 years plus. 

To Olivia, Melissa, Cory, Evan and Kalen, we hope and pray that you will find the strength to continue living life to the full, always remembering that wonderful smile that Billy had and that high pitched laugh which warmed the hearts of us all, a memory we will live with forever.  

Rest in Peace Billy, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam