John Egan (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Egan is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
with his local club Sneem
, his divisional side South Kerry
and was a member of the Kerry
senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1984.He also played hurling with neighbouring club Kenmare.
Born in Tahilla (near Sneem), County Kerry, Egan was a prolific corner forward in the legendary Kerry County football team
of the late 1970s and 1980s. He made his county senior debut against Tipperary in the 1975 All Ireland Championship, and instantly marked his arrival onto the senior stage with two goals in the first round opener. He also scored goals in the semi-final against Sligo, and the final against Dublin which Kerry won.
The 1975 success marked the beginning of a golden era for the county. Successful Munster titles in 1976 and 1977 were followed by consecutive defeats to Dublin at the All-Ireland final and semi-final stages. However, in 1978, Egan scored in every round of the Championship, and Kerry went on to win again against Dublin in the final. The winning scoreline in that match of 5-11 to 0-9 failed to reflect Dublin's early dominance, which resulted in a rapid 5 point lead. A initially shellshocked Kerry were inspired by a crucial Egan goal against the run of play, and they progressed to win a famous victory. Egan was a key part of the Kerry team that won a record equalling 4 All-Ireland titles in a row from 1978-1981. The "Kerry Machine", as they were popularly known, were expertly managed by the unequalled Mick O'Dwyer. The panel contained a plethora of talented players across the park, and included other legends of the game such as Mikey Sheedy, Eoin "The Bomber" Liston, Pat Spillane, Ger Power and Jack O'Shea to name a few.
Egan was captain of the 1982 County Kerry Football team which began the season bidding for an unprecedented 5 All-Ireland championship victories in a row. Kerry football captains are selected from the victorious county championship team of the previous year, and John achieved the honour in 1982 as a representative from the South Kerry team, which won the County Championship in 1981. A Kerry victory in the final against Offaly looked likely, especially when they were four point up with eight minutes to play. However a dramatic last gasp goal scored by Seamus Darby snatched the title from Kerry's grasp. John Egan completed his tally of six All-Ireland winning medals as a member of the Kerry team which won the centenary championship of 1984.
Egan's outstanding individual footballing talents were recognised with the awarding of five GAA All Stars Awards
in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1982. He also won four National Football League
medals and four Railway Cup medals with the Munster team
. He was part of the legendary seven-a-side team from Sneem that included his brothers, and went up against the giants of Kerry football including Austin Stacks in particular. Egan is currently in the Garda Síochána
(Irish police) in County Cork
, Ireland
.
His son, also John, has been capped
by the Republic of Ireland
U19 national side http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/irwin-shows-a-touch-of-class-on-u19-debut-2290778.html.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Sneem
Sneem GAA
Sneem GAA is an intermediate Gaelic Athletic Association club from County Kerry, Ireland.. They have won 4 South Kerry Senior Football Championships in 1972, 1977, 1997 and 1998, Kerry Junior Football Championship in 1997.-History:...
, his divisional side South Kerry
South Kerry GAA
South Kerry are a Gaelic football and Hurling Divisional Team in County Kerry.The South Kerry Football Team draws its players from eight Club teams in the Division.These are:* St. Mary's Cahirciveen* Renard* St...
and was a member of the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1984.He also played hurling with neighbouring club Kenmare.
Born in Tahilla (near Sneem), County Kerry, Egan was a prolific corner forward in the legendary Kerry County football team
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
of the late 1970s and 1980s. He made his county senior debut against Tipperary in the 1975 All Ireland Championship, and instantly marked his arrival onto the senior stage with two goals in the first round opener. He also scored goals in the semi-final against Sligo, and the final against Dublin which Kerry won.
The 1975 success marked the beginning of a golden era for the county. Successful Munster titles in 1976 and 1977 were followed by consecutive defeats to Dublin at the All-Ireland final and semi-final stages. However, in 1978, Egan scored in every round of the Championship, and Kerry went on to win again against Dublin in the final. The winning scoreline in that match of 5-11 to 0-9 failed to reflect Dublin's early dominance, which resulted in a rapid 5 point lead. A initially shellshocked Kerry were inspired by a crucial Egan goal against the run of play, and they progressed to win a famous victory. Egan was a key part of the Kerry team that won a record equalling 4 All-Ireland titles in a row from 1978-1981. The "Kerry Machine", as they were popularly known, were expertly managed by the unequalled Mick O'Dwyer. The panel contained a plethora of talented players across the park, and included other legends of the game such as Mikey Sheedy, Eoin "The Bomber" Liston, Pat Spillane, Ger Power and Jack O'Shea to name a few.
Egan was captain of the 1982 County Kerry Football team which began the season bidding for an unprecedented 5 All-Ireland championship victories in a row. Kerry football captains are selected from the victorious county championship team of the previous year, and John achieved the honour in 1982 as a representative from the South Kerry team, which won the County Championship in 1981. A Kerry victory in the final against Offaly looked likely, especially when they were four point up with eight minutes to play. However a dramatic last gasp goal scored by Seamus Darby snatched the title from Kerry's grasp. John Egan completed his tally of six All-Ireland winning medals as a member of the Kerry team which won the centenary championship of 1984.
Egan's outstanding individual footballing talents were recognised with the awarding of five GAA All Stars Awards
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
in 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980 and 1982. He also won four National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
medals and four Railway Cup medals with the Munster team
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
. He was part of the legendary seven-a-side team from Sneem that included his brothers, and went up against the giants of Kerry football including Austin Stacks in particular. Egan is currently in the Garda Síochána
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
(Irish police) in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
His son, also John, has been capped
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
by the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
U19 national side http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/irwin-shows-a-touch-of-class-on-u19-debut-2290778.html.