By Brendan McTaggart
We all have someone or know someone who has succumbed to the Great American Dream or the lure of lands far away in search of ‘better things’. Some come back home, having tried it and some make the most of their opportunity. For one Dunloy man living in San Francisco, he’s went about it the hard way.
A member of the Antrim u21 All Ireland final team of 2013 and the self-proclaimed ‘best shot stopper Dunloy has ever produced’, Ger Dixon’s story is one of familiarity but incredible bravery and inspirational as his social media posts for the last year or so have told. When he produced and wrote the song ‘Dunloy’ it caught everyone’s attention. As Curly McIlwaine said: “It’s that good a song, even a Loughgiel person would like it.” It strikes a chord, forgive the pun, in more ways than one.
Ger has been living in the States for the better part of seven years now and while he has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is now, it was far from plain sailing. An addiction to alcohol and drugs culminating in an attempted suicide before an intervention from friends and family travelling across the pond. Ger’s story is one worth listening to.
When I chatted with him, the song was first and foremost in my mind but I thought this was the chance to get Ger’s story out there. A chance for people to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark. That is one of the most overused cliché’s when it comes to talking about mental health but it is very true.
“I’ve been in San Francisco for about seven years, initially coming out to play hurling with Na Fianna but two years later I transferred to the Tipperary hurling team out here.
TO HEAR GER’S SONG ‘DUNLOY’ CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
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“It’s a great experience with a great bunch of lads and some serious talent comes out from all over Ireland in the summer. It’s great to be able to say that I’ve hurled with and against some of the best hurlers in Ireland.”
Ger has been there since 2019 with fellow Dunloy comrade Barry Dowds and childhood friend, Conor Crawford. They created a base and while they’ll always be Dunloy men, San Francisco is home.
Ger’s struggles with mental health and addiction is something that we can all relate to, unfortunately. But, there aren’t many who will step up and be proactive once they turn the proverbial corner. Ger said: “You know, we often hear about someone down the street who struggled with mental health or maybe even tried to end their life, but you cant just walk up and ask, right? I want to break that silence. I didn’t just think about suicide, I f**king attempted it. But I’m here now, and I want people to see that it’s preventable and that life can turn around. So, whether that’s through my Tik Tok’s, Instagram, or the challenges I take on, I’m open about it all to show that reaching out for help really does change everything.”
The song, if you haven’t heard it yet, is brilliant and took the better part of eight months to create and came about through one of Ger’s challenges in 2025: “It all came about when I was running from LA to San Francisco. It equated to 30 miles a day for 14 days. I was told that I was the first Irishman to do this and with that, Dunloy was always on my mind.
“Friends and family from home kept pushing me on and that sparked it. I jotted down rhymes with green and gold in my veins and also themes of mental health, keep moving forward and don’t look back.
“I always saw Dunloy in triangles. The chapel, the GAA grounds and St Joseph’s Primary School was one and the other was The Village Inn, Pappy’s Bakery and Sharon’s Hairdressers. Sharon sadly didn’t make the cut but it’s still a Dunloy staple to me!
Ger is still keeping his eye in and is hurling away in the USA
“I built the song around those places, pride in my name and pride in Dunloy. I always say, the two things that I’m proud to always say is that I’m Ger Dixon and I’m from Dunloy.
“The mental health layers tied in as well. In the end, I cant take credit for the vocals or instrumentals – that came from the app ‘Suno’ but the lyrics and heart? That’s all me.”
The challenges show no signs of ending for Ger as he looks towards this year and next as he continues his journey and tries in his own, undoubtedly unique way to help raise awareness: “Right now I’m running a minimum of 5k everyday in 2026. Sometimes barefoot to spice things up. I’ve got a few more challenges in mind, maybe run 100,000 steps in a day or a 100 miler. We’ll see but the big one I’m planning is in May 2027. I’m running (and cycling) from San Francisco to New York – that’s roughly 3000 miles.
“If anyone’s up for sponsoring, daily spots are open!
“I’m also hoping to get back in goal for Tipperary hurling if my legs will cooperate with me. In the meantime, I’ll keep telling my story. Whether it’s a silly video or a massive challenge, it’s all for mental health and suicide prevention.
“I push limits in my past challenges, like the 421-mile run, the 12-hour treadmill stint, or the fasting for 48 days. It’s all for the cause. I only know one way; keep the conversation alive.”
But, when it all comes down to it, Ger is keenly aware of the help that brought him to where he is today. Ger took the opportunity to express his gratitude and love for those who were there for him: “I want to thank my mates, Conor Crawford and Wayne Walsh who went out of their way when I was at my darkest and lowest point to look after me. Two of my sisters, Julie and Kathy who flew out to help figure out what was going on and to my whole family back at home. My other sisters Dana and Paula, my big brother DJ and to my mum and dad, thank you for standing by me. I’m sorry for the stress my mad challenges cause and for the pain I put you through during my darkest of times.
“To families and friends and caregivers of those struggling. You are everything. You are why we live. I cant begin to imagine the helplessness you feel watching someone you love stripped of their humanity, their dignity, their will to go on but please know that it’s your perseverance that keeps us going. It’s your companionship and promise that wakes us each morning. Your commitment will be the ray of light that guides us through the darkness.
“I will keep going though because showing that life can get better is the only way I know how to do this. Who knows, maybe I’ve inspired someone again during my long runs or this song!”
The poster for Ger”s marathon run