Gary Deegan
Encyclopedia
Gary Deegan is an Irish
footballer currently playing for English Championship side Coventry City
.
where he was a prominent figure in their under 21 squad. Deegan made one competitive appearance for Shelbourne's first team squad as a second half substitute in a UEFA Intertoto Cup
First Round Second Leg clash against FK Vetra
of Lithuania
at Tolka Park
on 24 June 2006, a match Shelbourne comfortably won 4–0. Soon after, Deegan was sent on loan to First Division strugglers Kilkenny City
in July 2006 in order to gain experience and regular first team football. Deegan departed Shelbourne during the winter of 2006 following Shelbourne's financial meltdown and subsequently joined Longford Town
in February 2007. Deegan immediately broke into Longford's starting XI making 35 league and cup appearances over the course of the season while scoring 3 goals. Following a difficult season on and off the pitch Longford were relegated to the First Division but Deegan helped Longford to the 2007 FAI Cup Final despite missing the final itself through suspension. Deegan signed for Galway United on a full time basis on the 24 January 2008 but on 9 July 2008 he was released by the club due to financial difficulties at Galway.
swooped to sign Deegan for Dublin club Bohemians
until the end of the 2008 season. He made his debut for the Gypsies in 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers
at Dalymount Park
on August 1 and netted his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over former club Galway on 22 August. Deegan made himself a regular in the Bohs' starting XI and his tremendous form was rewarded when he was named the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Player of the Month for September. The good times continued as a 2–1 win over Drogheda United secured the league title for Bohemians and a winners medal for Deegan. Deegan's outstanding form was rewarded when he was voted on to the Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division Team for 2008, receiving 28% of the votes for the centre midfield position.
Deegan began the 2009 season well for Bohs with some powerful performances in midfield. He also excelled in Bohs UEFA Champions League
qualifying tie against Red Bull Salzburg.http://www.bohemians.ie/match/match-reports/277-fc-red-bull-salzburg-1-1-bohemian-fc.html However Deegan and Bohs would depart that competition, cruelly losing 2–1 on aggregate. Worse was to come for Deegan as he got sent off twice in the space of 3 weeks and would serve a lengthy suspension. However he returned for the final games of the season and picked up his second League of Ireland
winners medal as Bohs pipped deadly rivals Shamrock Rovers
to the title by 4 points. Deegan's talent was rewarded at the season's end when he was voted on to the 2009 PFAI Team of the Season. It was announced on 21 December 2009 he would be signing for English Championship club Coventry City
on 4 January 2010 on a three and a half year deal.
on 9 January 2010.
Deegan scored his first goal for Coventry on his second start for the club against Queens Park Rangers in a 1–0 win for Coventry on 13 February 2010. His second goal for the club was a late equaliser in the M69 derby
on 21 March 2010, with the match finishing 2–2. While at Coventry City, he is nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his hard work on the pitch and his aggressive style of play.
During the 2010/11 pre-season Deegan suffered a stress fracture of the ankle, putting him out of action for the duration of the season, only to come on as a substitute in the final game of the season in a 2-2 draw against Norwich City. .
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer currently playing for English Championship side Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
Early career
Deegan plays in central midfield and has previously played for ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
where he was a prominent figure in their under 21 squad. Deegan made one competitive appearance for Shelbourne's first team squad as a second half substitute in a UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
First Round Second Leg clash against FK Vetra
FK Vetra
FK Vėtra was a Lithuanian football team from the capital city of Vilnius.- History :The club was founded in 1997 and was initially based in Rūdiškės, a settlement in Vilnius district, and moved in 2003 to Vilnius city with the purchase of its own stadium....
of Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
at Tolka Park
Tolka Park
Tolka Park is an Irish football ground located in the north Dublin suburb of Drumcondra, on the northern banks of the River Tolka. It is currently the home ground of League of Ireland club Shelbourne...
on 24 June 2006, a match Shelbourne comfortably won 4–0. Soon after, Deegan was sent on loan to First Division strugglers Kilkenny City
Kilkenny City A.F.C.
Kilkenny City A.F.C. was an Irish football club. The club played in the First Division of the League of Ireland until 18 January 2008 when they announced that they resigned their position in the league citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”.The club hails from Kilkenny and...
in July 2006 in order to gain experience and regular first team football. Deegan departed Shelbourne during the winter of 2006 following Shelbourne's financial meltdown and subsequently joined Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
in February 2007. Deegan immediately broke into Longford's starting XI making 35 league and cup appearances over the course of the season while scoring 3 goals. Following a difficult season on and off the pitch Longford were relegated to the First Division but Deegan helped Longford to the 2007 FAI Cup Final despite missing the final itself through suspension. Deegan signed for Galway United on a full time basis on the 24 January 2008 but on 9 July 2008 he was released by the club due to financial difficulties at Galway.
Bohemians
Deegan was not to stay out of football for long as Pat FenlonPat Fenlon
Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....
swooped to sign Deegan for Dublin club Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
until the end of the 2008 season. He made his debut for the Gypsies in 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
on August 1 and netted his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over former club Galway on 22 August. Deegan made himself a regular in the Bohs' starting XI and his tremendous form was rewarded when he was named the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Player of the Month for September. The good times continued as a 2–1 win over Drogheda United secured the league title for Bohemians and a winners medal for Deegan. Deegan's outstanding form was rewarded when he was voted on to the Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division Team for 2008, receiving 28% of the votes for the centre midfield position.
Deegan began the 2009 season well for Bohs with some powerful performances in midfield. He also excelled in Bohs UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualifying tie against Red Bull Salzburg.http://www.bohemians.ie/match/match-reports/277-fc-red-bull-salzburg-1-1-bohemian-fc.html However Deegan and Bohs would depart that competition, cruelly losing 2–1 on aggregate. Worse was to come for Deegan as he got sent off twice in the space of 3 weeks and would serve a lengthy suspension. However he returned for the final games of the season and picked up his second League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
winners medal as Bohs pipped deadly rivals Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
to the title by 4 points. Deegan's talent was rewarded at the season's end when he was voted on to the 2009 PFAI Team of the Season. It was announced on 21 December 2009 he would be signing for English Championship club Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
on 4 January 2010 on a three and a half year deal.
Coventry City
Deegan made his debut for Coventry as a second half substitute against BarnsleyBarnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
on 9 January 2010.
Deegan scored his first goal for Coventry on his second start for the club against Queens Park Rangers in a 1–0 win for Coventry on 13 February 2010. His second goal for the club was a late equaliser in the M69 derby
M69 Derby
The M69 Derby is a term used to describe football matches played between Coventry City and Leicester City. It takes its name from the motorway that connects the two cities, which are only 24 miles apart....
on 21 March 2010, with the match finishing 2–2. While at Coventry City, he is nicknamed 'The Pitbull' for his hard work on the pitch and his aggressive style of play.
During the 2010/11 pre-season Deegan suffered a stress fracture of the ankle, putting him out of action for the duration of the season, only to come on as a substitute in the final game of the season in a 2-2 draw against Norwich City. .
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 2- BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
– 2008, 2009
- Bohemians
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1- BohemiansBohemian F.C.Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
– 2008FAI Cup 2008The FAI Cup 2008 was the eighty-fifth staging of The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, or FAI Cup for short. This season was the second one sponsored by Ford....
- Bohemians