Eamonn Deacy - RIP

[Ger Regan]

For anyone how may be interested, or knows someone who might be:

Funeral arrangements for the late Eamon Deacy : Reposing at Conneelys Funeral Home, Flood Street on Thursday evening from 4.00pm - 7.00pm. Removal afterwards to the Augustinian Church. Funeral Mass Friday morning 11.00am, burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohemore.

Cheers Ger. I have a meeting in Parkmore in the afternoon so will try and get along to the church beforehand

No worries. Thankfully I've been able to move some work bits around so will be able to go to it. Knowing the popularity of the man, this is going to be one of the biggest funerals the city has seen in quite some time.

[Oscar Arce]

Eamonn in 2008.
Confirms what a lovely bloke he was.
RIP

http://barcelonalionsclub.blogspot.com/2008/10/eamonn-deacy.html

[Percy McCarthy]

Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"

[Pete]

There have been mentions of Eamonn's 'unorthodox' style, which reminds me of an incident at Highbury which has always stuck in my mind (maybe because I was only a few yards away, at the front of the terrace). Kenny Sansom, who I think was at the time first-choice England full-back, was doing that annoying shielding the ball thing right by the corner flag. Eamonn was behind him and, with playing the ball not being an option, obviously decided that some sort of engagement was necessary. So he hacked Sansom's ankles. Not once, but about half a dozen times. The ball had become irrelevant, he just focussed on ankle kicking. Sansom just looked at him with an expression of half bewilderment and half annoyance.

RIP a great Villa man. Not the most skilful player, never a regular starter, but his immense pride and commitment made him a worthy member of that wonderful team.

[Pat McMahon]

Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.

[dicedlam]

I don’t remember the only goal that he scored for us (against Norwich?) but I do remember it featuring in a top ten goals run down that appeared in H&V some years later that told of a flowing move from one end of the pitch to the other with Deacy finishing with a 20 yard screamer, the description concluding “whatever Eamon kicked, stayed kicked.”

RIP

Whoever wrote that, I hope they dont mind me using it for a signature.

[Ger Regan]

Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.

I'd be very surprised if there weren't a few of his old colleagues in attendance. Will let you know if I spot any of them.

[Pat McMahon]

Does anybody know whether the club will sends a representative? It really would be aproppriate and deserved.

I'd be very surprised if there were a few of his old colleagues in attendance. Will let you know if I spot any of them.

Cheers Ger.

[Ger Regan]

Obviously that should originally have said "weren't any"!

[Chico Hamilton III]

Eamon put smile on everyone's face - McNaught Gregg vans
392 words
14 February 2012
Birmingham Mail
EVEMAI
43
English
(c) 2012 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd


KEN McNaught today led the touching tributes to former league-winning Villa player Eamon Deacy, who died yesterday after a heart attack.
The Irishman, who holds the distinction of being one of only 14 players used by Villa throughout the League Championship season of 1980-81, passed away at the age of 53.
McNaught played with Deacy and said it was a pleasure to be in the same team as the man who 'brought a smile to everybody's face'.
"It was a severe shock when I heard the news and my thoughts are with his family," he said.
"He could not have been a nicer bloke and all the players from that team will say the same.
"He was on the bench for most of the season when we won the league but whenever he was called upon he came on and did a good job.
"He was a great character to have around the place and was so unpretentious.
"I remember when he refused to go up and collect his league winners medal because he felt he had not contributed enough.
"He obviously had, because he did a great job every time he was called upon but that was just the way Eamon was.
"Ron Saunders made him accept it, though, in the end. He was just a great lad to be around."
Villa, the club he moved to in 1979, also paid tribute.
A statement said: "Eamonn will always have a special place in the history of the club.
"He was a dedicated professional and a man admired greatly by his team-mates.
"Our thoughts remain with his family at this time."
Despite making only 39 appearances, including five starts in that triumphant season, he was an integral member of the squad.
He arrived in the Midlands from his hometown club Galway Rovers and after five years he moved back.
McNaught said Deacy refused a contract extension because he wanted to return home to live his life to the full.
"He said the craic was not there anymore and he wanted to go back home. He just walked away,'' said McNaught.
"That was the type of character he was. He always had a smile on his face."
Deacy leaves behind his wife, Mary, daughter, Dawn, and son Jake.

[Damo70]

I can't remember another player who was so popular whilst playing relatively few games. Everyone who came into contact with him off the pitch described him as a true gentleman, modest and grateful for his time at Villa. Possibly a few opponents who only remember him for being tackled by him wouldn't totally agree! I can't believe we've lost one of the legendary fourteen. RIP Eamon.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Part 2 from around 41 minutes in

Thanks for that, Ger. Loved the story about the company car.

[Percy McCarthy]

Without doubt we should have an official representative at the funeral. Everybody who has Aston Villa in their heart will certainly be there in spirit.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A humble hero: Eamonn Deacy 1958-2012

By Mat Kendrick on Feb 13, 12 11:13 PM

THIS story from Villa fan Danny Drewry is worthy of re-telling, following the sad, sad news of Eamonn Deacy's death today, as it captures the humility of a hero.

Danny, who runs Midlands Memorabila, embarked on a labour of love last summer to track down all of the club's 1982 First Division title winning favourites to sign souvenirs.

And when it came to a certain greengrocer in Galway, Danny found a modest and reluctant legend whose pride at playing for the Villa burned brighter than ever.

It was Danny who contacted me to check I had heard the news of Deacy's death this morning with a text message simply containing the word 'gutted'.

Yet his story confirms that the claret and blue family are not only mourning the loss of a fine footballer, but also a true gentleman.
"There was one former player I was desperate to meet because, every time his name came up during a signing with one or two of his ex-colleagues, there would be smiles instantly.

Often they would be followed by a story told in an Irish accent about an innocent young teetotal from Galway who, after writing to Ron Saunders for a trial, found himself in a dressing room with some streetwise characters who liked the odd practical joke and a drink or two.

We had a phone number for Eamonn in Ireland which he had recently changed, so we had no way of contacting him to let him know of our plans. One evening, I decided to turn detective with information gleaned from Tony Morley and Google.

I put a file together containing maps to his home address and details for shops where he may be working and drove to Holyhead to catch the ferry to Ireland.

Of all the days to choose, it just happened to be the one of The Queen's visit to Dublin! I eventually got through all the security around the ferry-port at 5am and hit the motorway.

By 9am, I was parked up in Galway town centre and, after a 20-minute walk, found one of the shops I was looking for.

The first person I saw was the man himself! He was shocked when I explained why I was there and was so humble that someone would travel all that way to see him just to get some shirts and prints signed.

I had to get Tony Morley to confirm my credentials over the phone, then I arranged to meet Eamonn after work, so he could take me to his house.

Once we started the signing, Eamonn was really keen to hear about how all the other lads were and told of his happiness and pride at playing for Villa at that time. He was keen to show me his son's bedroom as it was kitted out in claret and blue.

I have to mention the amazing hospitality of the Deacy family. Mary, Eamonn's wife, made me a delicious meal and, while I was tucking into that, she even prepared a packed lunch for me for the ferry journey home.

When it was time to go, Eamonn insisted on showing me to the motorway - a ten-mile drive.

When I was dozing off on the ferry later, I found it hard comprehending what had happened over the last 24 hours. Eamonn made a big impression on me and I can see exactly why he is remembered with such affection by his former team-mates."

[TopDeck113]

Same as yesterday, close to tears reading this thread. Another day of walking round work saying "I've just got something in my eye...honest!"

I'm exactly the same, Perce.  Something about the man, his humble part in our greatest triumphs and memories of truly fantastic days at Villa Park.