| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eamonn Stephen Deacy | ||
| Date of birth | (1958-10-01)1 October 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Galway, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 13 February 2012(2012-02-13) (aged 53) | ||
| Place of death | Galway, Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft8+1⁄2 in (1.74 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| West United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1975–1976 | Sligo Rovers | 10 | (0) |
| 1976 | Galway Rovers | 0 | (0) |
| 1976–1977 | Limerick | 17 | (0) |
| 1977–1978 | Galway Rovers | 29 | (1) |
| 1978–1984 | Aston Villa | 33 | (1) |
| 1983–1984 | →Derby County (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 1984–1991 | Galway United | 100 | (4) |
| International career | |||
| 1982 | Republic of Ireland | 4 | (0) |
| 1984 | League of Ireland XI | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Eamonn "Chick"[2] Deacy (1 October 1958 – 13 February 2012) was a professional footballer fromGalway, Ireland.
After a trial atClyde Deacy made an impressiveLeague of Ireland debut forSligo Rovers away toShelbourne atHarold's Cross Stadium on 14 December 1975.[3] His only win in Sligo's colours came atGlenmalure Park on 4 January 1976. The next month he facedGeoff Hurst atTurners Cross.
His debut game for his home town club, thenGalway Rovers F.C., was in theFAI League Cup on 5 September 1976.[4] Deacy made his debut forLimerick on 28 November 1976 atFlower Lodge. At the end of the season, he was on the losing side in theFAI Cup final. However, in his last game for the Shannonsiders he won theMunster Senior Cup. Returning to his home club, Deacy scoredGalway Rovers first goal in theLeague of Ireland on 2 October 1977.
The 21-year-old full back left Galway forAston Villain February 1979, after writing 12 letters to the club requesting a trial. He went on to have an unforgettable five years at the club, during which time they won the League Championship, European Cup and European Super Cup.
He was one of only 14 players used by Ron Saunders in the 1980–81 league-winning season, making enough appearances (11 in all, including six starts) to win a medal (he was Villa's number 12 on 19 occasions that season).[5] He made one appearance for Villa in European competition when the defending European champions played againstJuventus in the1982–83 European Cup.[6] He had a brief loan spell at Derby, where he played five games, before rejecting an offer of a new two-year deal from Villa to return home to Galway.
Deacy's first game back in the Maroon was in aLeague of Ireland Cup tie against Finn Harps on 2 September 1984.
His last League of Ireland game was also in Harold's Cross on St Patrick's Day 1991 away to St Patrick's Athletic.
He won 4 caps for theRepublic of Ireland national football team.[7][8] He also played for theRepublic of Ireland national football team amateur team that qualified for the 1978UEFA Amateur Cup.
He died following a heart attack on 13 February 2012.[9]Terryland Park was renamedEamonn Deacy Park in honour of Chick[10] A testimonial was held on 18 August at Eamonn Deacy Park.[11]
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