Death of legendary Tullamore character and sports administrator
Late Willie Egan served as secretary in Tullamore Soccer and Golf Clubs
THE death has taken place of one of the great characters in Tullamore and a renowned sporting administrator, Willie Egan, Spollanstown.
In his mid 70s, Willie sadly passed away at the Regional Hospital in Tullamore after an illness and he will be so sadly missed by the many who loved, knew and enjoyed his company over the years.
A gregarious, outgoing, larger than life personality, Willie made a powerful contribution to his chosen sports of soccer, initially, and then golf.
He worked with Offaly VEC for years and then in the office for Joe Brophy solicitors – he also ran a successful video rental shop in Harbour Street for a few years in the 1990s.
A very sociable character, who lived life to the full and got every inch out of it, he was tremendous fun and company, a great conversationalist with a wit that instantly endeared him to all who met him.
He immersed himself in soccer in Tullamore for years. He was involved a famous soccer club based in Ballinagar called Knockville in the 1970s, managing them – that club was called Knockville for the townland between Ballinagar and Daingean called Knock and the ville represented the village of Ballinagar. They included locals from the Ballinagar area and some terrific players from Tullamore and amalgamated with Tullamore Soccer Club in 1981 under the Tullamore banner – a soccer club was later formed in Ballinagar, staying in existence in the 1980s, '90s and 2000s before drifting out of existence.
Willie Egan became immersed in the affairs of Tullamore Soccer Club. He was team manager and secretary for a few years in the 1980s and '90s and had a terrific passion for the game – he was a keen Everton supporter.
After he drifted away from soccer, he devoted himself to Tullamore Golf Club. A keen golfer who loved golfing holidays and trips, he served as a club secretary and on various committees over several years. He was the mens' club secretary during that very difficult time in 2005 when the club's 500 plus male members were suspended by the Golfing Union of Ireland for a breach of amateur status rules when the value of the prize presented by the then captain for his competition exceeded the permitted limit.
Willie Egan was at the centre of getting things in order and had to do a mountain of work, along with others and the suspension was lifted by the Golfing Union of Ireland some months later.
He remained involved in Tullamore Golf Club for years after that, represented Tullamore in interclub competitions and loved his weekly games and the fun that went with them. His speech when introducing the 2006 captain Martin Dunne at the dinner in his honour is part of folklore in Tullamore Golf Club.
While soccer and golf were the two sports that he contributed to in an administrative capacity, he was a great all round sports man, with a particular interest in the GAA. He attended big Offaly and Tullamore games for years, getting great pleasure out of their successes.
He had an encyclopedic memory and was able to stun people with his recollection of long forgotten games, individuals and events. He could hold his own in debates about any sports, politics and current affairs – a Fine Gael supporter, he possessed a very sharp, bright intellect.
Devoted to his much loved wife Theresa and family, he enjoyed a pint and was a familiar sight in the pub scene in Tullamore – he was an intergral part of the famous “Monday Club” in Spollen's, High Street for years where golfers adjourned for the 19th hole fun after their game.
A real force of nature, he was a unique character, hugely personable with a very attractive way about him. He was a natural story teller, able to regale listeners when he got into full flow. He was a genuinely funny man and time in his company was always well spent. He had a great ability to articulate stories about events and people in a completely inoffensive way. A very decent man, his intention was never to put someone down and even when a tale, often embellished, was not in someone's favour, it was always recounted for fun and with a sense of mischief – the “star” in the story was generally left with no option but to laugh at him or herself!
Willie will be sadly missed by his loving wife Theresa and his family Cathy, Eddie, Richard and Emma, sister Marian, son in law Dermot, daughter in law Yvonne, his adored grandchildren Ava, Keelin, Rachel, Gavin, Alex, Hugh, Luke and Caleb, great grandchild Joey, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends
Reposing at O'Reilly's Funeral Home, Harbour Street, Tullamore (R35 FC84) on Friday September 4th from 4pm until 6pm. Removal on Saturday morning September 5th to the Church of the Assumption, arriving for Funeral Mass at 10am. Burial after Mass in Clonminch Cemetery