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You are > Home > Death of my hero is hard to accept
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Death of my hero is hard to accept
Dermot Earley, more than any other person I know, made me proud to say I was from Roscommon.
He was my hero. I find it hard to believe that he is dead.
Although he had been ill for some months with a mystery debilitating disease, the news of his death still came as a shock. Even when I saw his remains reposing in his military uniform in St. Brigid’s Church, the Curragh Camp, on Friday evening I still found it hard to accept that a legendary life had ended.
Dermot assumed a status bordering on the immortal for me. Only last October he was here in Custume Barracks to mark the retirement of his great friend Colonel Seán Kilbride. A mix-up in times meant that I arrived a few hours late and Dermot had left when I arrived. It is one of the regrets of my life that I missed him that evening.
A few weeks ago I was in Newbridge and I called to see Dermot. I was shocked when I saw him. He had by that time lost the ability to communicate. The once eloquent voice that thrilled and inspired so many over the years was now silent. Sadly, silent forever.
I thought of his oration at the grave of Jimmy Murray, his talk to the Defence Forces in Lourdes, his speech in the Royal Hotel to honour the minor team of 2006. He was a brilliant orator and a fluent Irish speaker as well. Many times he had inspired his team mates in dressing rooms up and down the country.
I doubt if he recognised me but he had the familiar trademark handshake and the welcoming eyes. Before I left I gave him a blessing.
I shook the big hand that took down many a high ball in Hyde Park, McHale Park, Croke Park or any park he played in.
His wife Mary joked that an opponent once said to him after he caught a high ball, “Earley, have you Dak on your hands or something”? Dak, for the benefit of younger readers, was a sticky, tar like substance that was used to catch rats.
He clinched both fists and held them up as I was leaving as much as to say “Roscommon’s day will come again.” My eyes misted over because I knew that I was unlikely ever to see him alive again. Mary said that she felt he recognised me before I left. I hope he did.
As I joined the huge queues in the Curragh Camp last Friday night, I realised how much Dermot Earley meant not just to Roscommon but to Ireland. He was truly an iconic figure and a legend all over the country. No one county could claim such a larger than life, charismatic individual.
There were former players and officials there from every county in Ireland. It was like the Hogan Stand on All-Ireland final day, such was the presence of so many GAA people.
Dermot had touched and enriched the lives of countless thousands of people in his playing career and after, and in his patriotic service to this nation in his career in the Defence Forces.
He had thrilled not just us Roscommon people with his football skills, but also all who appreciate the great skills of the game like high fielding, accurate kicking and exemplary sportsmanship.
They were now turning out to pay their last respects to a national hero.
I was proud to see the Roscommon colours so prominent in the Curragh and in Newbridge that evening. Dermot Earley was one of the greatest Roscommon people of all time. It was a privilege to have known him.
I first heard of Dermot Earley back in 1961 when I moved from Roscommon CBS to Summerhill College as a boarder. St. Nathy’s were the great rivals at the time and you didn’t mention the Ballaghaderreen college without the name ‘Dermot Earley’ coming up.
The 1970s
Roscommon’s successes in Connacht in the 1970s were due in no small measure to Dermot’s brilliance. Earley produced so many outstanding displays in his career that it is hard to focus on any one in particular.
The 1972 Connacht final in Castlebar stands out for me. Roscommon beat Mayo that day by 5-8 to 3-10. It was the first time I had ever seen a Roscommon team score five goals in a championship game. I haven’t seen it since.
Dermot was immense that day. I met my classmate and friend Fr. J.J. Cribbin in Newbridge on Friday night and we talked about that game. Fr. J.J., a second cousin of Dermot, scored 2-1 for Mayo that day and “we still lost” he said. Dermot “set the stands alight” with a solo run and great goal just before half-time.
Roscommon led by 3-6 to 2-6 at the break. With the scores 4-6 to 3-8 in favour of Roscommon in the secondhalf, Earley soloed for over 50 yards out of defence to score a great point.
Mel Flanagan scored Roscommon’s fifth goal. Gerry Beirne, Dermot’s midfield partner, gave an exhibition of high fielding in the second half. Sadly, both of them have now passed away.
Dermot won his first of five Connacht senior medals that day. Kerry beat Roscommon by 1-22 to 1-12 in the semifinal but Dermot scored 13 from midfield.
One of his greatest ever displays was in the replayed league semi-final of 1974 against Sligo in Castlebar. He gave an exhibition of high fielding in the second-half and scored 0-11 out of Roscommon’s total of 0-16.
He contributed immensely to the four-in-a-row Connacht titles from 1977 -’80. One of his finest ever displays was in the league final of 1979 when Roscommon beat Cork by 0-15 to 1-3. He was marking John Courtney that day and John later served with him in the Defence Forces.
Now Colonel John Courtney, he was one of Dermot’s greatest friends and admirers.
I met him in Newbridge on Friday night and he is shattered by Dermot’s death. Dermot played on until 1985 when he played his last game in the Connacht final at the age of 37.
The Mayo players carried him shoulder high off the field after the game. Friend and foe admired Dermot and it was a lovely gesture on behalf of his Mayo opponents.
Willie Joe Padden was one of the many Mayo players who paid their respects on Friday night. Dermot continued his association with the GAA down the years and one of his proudest moments was when Roscommon won the minor All-Ireland in Ennis in September 2006. He had a big input into that victory and the players had a great respect for him.
Fulsome tributes have been paid to Dermot Earley by commentators from Liam Horan to Willie O’Dea in the print media and on radio and television. It is little wonder because Dermot Earley was not only an outstanding footballer and military man, he was also an exceptionally talented and charismatic human being.
Liam Horan wrote in the Examiner under the heading, ‘Dermot Earley as close to perfection as a man can be’, “Dermot Earley didn’t just play for Roscommon. Dermot Earley was Roscommon.”
Don’t we know, and aren’t we so proud of him! It is possible that another Dermot Earley will come along in the future to play at midfield for Roscommon. Maybe!
One thing is certain, he will never be replaced in the affections and memories of Roscommon people. Death will never diminish all that Dermot meant to this county. Thanks for the memories, Dermot. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Sympathies are extended to his wife Mary, sons David, Conor and Dermot, daughters Paula, Anne-Marie and Noelle, his mother Kitty, brothers Peter and Paul and sisters Denise and Margaret. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís!
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