The memory of the late Eamonn ‘Chick’ Deacy is to be kept alive with a new full soccer scholarship at NUI Galway. The first recipient will be named in time for the 2012/13 academic year, which begins in September.
The scholarship will be a four-year award, and is being set-up by West United in association with the Soccer Club at NUI Galway, and is being sponsored by Monroe’s Tavern on Dominick Street.
“We wanted to do something in memory of Chick that would give a young player the chance to fill his shoes,” said James O’Toole, a member of West United and the vice-president of the NUIG Soccer Club. “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 develop their soccer career.”
Details of the scholarship were announced at the launch of the Celebration for Chick series of events in Monroe’s in the city last week. It 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.
The celebration for Chick series includes a concert, golf classic and testimonial game.
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.
There will be a golf classic in Galway Bay Golf resort in Rinville, Oranmore, on Friday August 17 and Saturday August 18, with more than half the slots already booked. Teams of four cost €250. To book a tee-time call Michael McLaughlin 091-569000.
The main event of the Celebration for Chick is the testimonial game on Saturday August 18, which will see Terryland Park officially renamed as Eamonn Deacy Park. Tickets for the game will cost €10 and will go on sale in a number of outlets throughout the city and county in late June after the concert.
