New NUIG soccer scholarship in memory of late Chick Deacy

THE memory of the late Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy is to be kept alive with a new full soccer scholarship at NUI Galway, the details of which were announced at the launch of the Celebration for Chick series of events in Monroe’s in the city on Monday night.

The scholarship, which begins in September, will be a four-year award, and is being set-up by West United and Monroe’s in association with the Soccer Club at NUI Galway.

“We basically wanted to do something in memory of Chick that would give a young fella the chance to fill his shoes. You’ll never fill Chick’s shoes, he did so much, but with this scholarship we are at least giving young people the chance to follow in his footsteps to get an education and to develope their soccer career,” explained James O’Toole, a member of West United and the Vice-President of the NUIG Soccer Club.

The scholarship is being financially backed by Monroe’s, with Fergus McGinn, who runs the premises, saying he was “honoured” to have been asked to get on board.

“We have been sponsoring both West United and the soccer club in NUI Galway, and I was honoured and delighted to have been asked to get involved with the scholarship. I think it is a great idea, it will give a young person a chance to develop both on and off the pitch, and we’re thrilled to be a small part of that,” he said.

Dr Eric Mortimer, Chairman of the university soccer club, said it will be all systems go on the scholarship once the Leaving Certificate results are published in August, but between now and then the organisers will be looking for feedback from clubs in relation to potential scholarship winners.

“We’re delighted to be able to honour the memory of Chick Deacy, and also to be able to offer someone a chance to go to university and play soccer in his name,” he said.

Monday’s launch of the Celebration for Chick series of events was told of the huge outpouring of support the organising committee has already received from the Galway public. Monroe’s is donating its live music venue on Friday, June 15 for a concert which will see performances by Silkwood, Don Stiffe, Rob Wade and Fionnuala Deacy, all of whom are playing free of charge.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.