tributesGAELIC GAMES ASSOCIATION president Christy Cooney has paid tribute to Kerry football legend John Egan today.
The six-time All-Ireland winner, with Mick O’Dwyer’s much celebrated side of the 1970s and ’80s, Egan passed away at his home in Cork yesterday at 59 years of age.
“John was an iconic footballer on arguably the most iconic team of all time and his undoubted skills and dedication were handsomely rewarded in an era that will be remembered fondly by Kerry supporters for evermore,” the Association chief said in a statement today.
“His role as a classy forward in the emergence and sustained brilliance of this team was a hugely significant one and admiration for his contribution to the game and by extension the Association, exists far beyond his home county. At this time I extend on behalf of the wider GAA family my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, wife Mary, son John and daughter Maureen, Sneem GAA Club and his wide circle of friends.”
Yesterday, a former-mate Jimmy Deenihan — now Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht — said: “As well as being a great team-mate, John was a great friend, and any person lucky enough to play with him at that time will remember his skill, his team spirit and his warmth.”
During his 11 years with the Kingdom from 1973 to 1984, the Sneem clubman won six All-Ireland medals and 11 Munster championships as well as five All-Star awards.
In a short statement released yesterday morning, Kerry county chairman Patrick O’Sullivan expressed his sorrow on the passing of a man who he described as “one of Kerry’s true heroes.”
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