Galway Utd fans and family of the late Chick Deacy team-up for kit launch in aid of charity

Keith Kelly

The Galway United fans’ group which operated the club for the 2011 season has teamed up with the family of the late Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy to launch its own Euro 2012 sportswear in aid of a charity chosen by the Deacy family.

The Galway United Supporters Trust has produced a green polo shirt, a t-shirt and windcheater, with proceeds from the sale of the items going towards the Peter McVerry Trust and the GUST. The clothing features the GUST logo and the wording ‘Euro 2012’ on one side, with the charity’s logo, the wording Eamonn Chick Deacy and kit supplier logo Macron on the other side.

The items were launched at a function in Monroe’s on Dominick Street on Tuesday night which was attended by Fr Peter McVerry, a number of the extended Deacy family, members of the Galway United Supporters’ Trust, and a number of former Galway United players.

The full clothing set is one sale for €50, or individual items available for €20, with the profist being split between GUST and the Peter McVerry Trust, which was chosen as a beneficiary by Chick’s wife Mary, and his children, Dawn and Jake.

“We had thought about bringing out some items to mark 2012, and with the passing of Chick, thought it would be a nice idea to get the family involved and help to raise funds for a charity in his memory,” explains GUST management committee member Tommy Shields.

“I ran the idea past Mary and she gave it her blessing, and said they would sit down and pick a charity. She came back a couple of days later and nominated the Peter McVerry Trust - Fr Peter gave a talk to students in the Jes a few years ago, and Mary said Eamonn was very taken by the man and impressed with his work with young people,” explained Mr Shields.

The merchandise is on sale in the city from O’Brien’s Newsagents on William Street, from Monroes on Dominick Street, and from Terryland Park. Merchandise will also be on sale at the GUST stand upstairs in the Eyre Square Centre tomorrow (Saturday), and on-line at www.galwaysoccer.com.

GUST has extended its sympathies to the family of former United player Eugene Halion, who died suddenly during the week; and to the family of supporter and club volunteer Emmanuel Morley, who also passed away this week.

Meanwhile, a committee to organise the day of celebration later this year in memory of the late Chick Deacy has been put in place. It is hoped to bring the Aston Villa 1981 League-winning team over to play a Galway United/West United XI in Terryland Park to mark the official renaming of the ground after the late Galway soccer star.Anyone who wishes to volunteer with organising the event, or to offer sponsorship, is asked to contact Don Deacy at 087 4119406.

Chick graced Terryland Park in the colours of Galway Rovers in their first season of the League of Ireland in 1977/78 – he scored the club’s first goal in the League, against Thurles Town – and after a spell in England, he returned to the club, then called Galway United, for the 1984/85 season, playing seven years with the club up to and including the FAI Cup-winning season of 1990/91.

He also played on the ground in the colours of his beloved West United – his last competitive game was in Terryland Park with West United when they won the Jack Lillis Cup in 2006.

In a further link, the land originally belonged to his grandfather, Martin J Morris, who sold it to the Galway FA to develop a soccer pitch; while Chick’s mother, Christine, was also born there when it was part of the family farm.