Tributes paid to former Derry boss

Death of Eamonn Coleman:Tributes have been flowing in for Eamonn Coleman (60) who died on Monday evening after a prolonged illness. The funeral takes place tomorrow morning at Newbridge chapel, Bellaghy, Co Derry.

While his legacy was secured as manager of Derry's solitary All-Ireland winning team in 1993, Coleman played in the senior club championship final for St Trea's, Ballymcguigan, aged just 14 before going on to win an All-Ireland minor title in 1965, followed up three years later with an under-21 All-Ireland medal.

A bricklayer by trade, he won further county titles with Ballinderry and Athlone in Westmeath, while also featuring prominently on the London football scene.

Having led the Derry minors to an All-Ireland in 1983 and successive Sigerson Cup triumphs with UUJ, Coleman's first stint as Derry manager (1991-94) yielded a National League title in 1992 and the All-Ireland senior title a year later.

Fergal McCusker was a Coleman player throughout the glory years. "You got to realise in Derry in the late '80s we were struggling. There might be eight or nine at training. We were a laughing stock. Clubs in Derry were stronger than the county. There was internal bickering, but Eamonn was able to bring those from the north and south of the county together. His personality shone through at all times."

Coleman departed from the role in controversial circumstance in 1994, but after a stint with Longford and club management in Cavan, he returned as Derry manager in 1999. Another league title, 2000, and an All-Ireland semi-final followed in 2001.

Coleman then became Cavan manager, but was forced to step aside last season after being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. "My greatest memory of Eamonn was after we won the National League, we'd beaten Tyrone with a late goal," continued McCusker. "We played them in the championship a week later. A live game on BBC, which I think was a first. It was just a scorcher of a day. The build-up to it was real intense.

"The game was in Celtic Park so beforehand we went to a restaurant called Badgers. I remember he delivered a speech in the restaurant. You wanted the match to be played that minute. The hairs on the back of your neck were standing up. You just knew there was nothing you weren't going to do that day and you were never going to let this man down. It was just the passion he brought out in you. He was the epitome of a good manager."

The Gaelic Players Association also paid tribute to the Ballymcguigan native yesterday. "On behalf of the membership of the Gaelic Players Association, the GPA executive would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the late Eamonn Coleman. Eamonn's contribution to Derry and to Gaelic football in general was extraordinary and he was wonderful players man.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."