Gary Coleman (Gaelic footballer)

For other people named Gary Coleman, see Gary Coleman (disambiguation).

Gary Coleman
Personal information
Irish name Gearóid Ó Colmáin
Sport Gaelic football
Position Defender
Born (1972-06-26) 26 June 1972 (age 52)[citation needed]
County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Occupation Postman
Club(s)
Years Club
1989–2001
2002–
 Magherafelt
Ballymaguigan
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1992–2002
 Derry
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 2
All-Irelands 1
NFL 4
All Stars 1

Gary Coleman (born 26 June 1972)[citation needed] is a Gaelic footballer who played for the Derry county team in the 1990s and early 2000s. He still plays club football with St Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan.

Coleman was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, as well as the 1993 and 1998 Ulster Championship winning teams. For his performances in the 1993 Championship he won an All Star award. While usually playing in defence for Derry, he often played in attack for Magherafelt and current club Ballymaguigan

Personal life

Coleman attended school at St Pius X College, Magherafelt. His father Eamonn was manager of the 1993 Derry team that won the All-Ireland.

Coleman made headlines in 2024 amidst rumours Rory Gallagher (Gaelic footballer) would be reappointed as Derry county football team manager, stating he wouldn't attend any games with him as manager, "And it sets a bad example - and have we no morals in Derry?" [1]

Inter-county career

Regarded as one of the best Derry minor players of all time, Coleman captained Derry minors to two Ulster Minor Championships and an All-Ireland Minor Championship.[2] He also won an Ulster Under-21 Championship medal in 1993.

He was part of Derry's 1993 Ulster Championship and All-Ireland winning team, which beat Cork in the final. Coleman added a second Ulster Championship medal in 1998.

He won four National Football League medals with Derry in 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. Coleman and Derry finished runners-up to Offaly in the 1998 National League decider.[3]

Club career

Coleman started his career with O'Donovan Rossa GAC Magherafelt. After moving to his father's home townland of Ballymaguigan a few years ago, Coleman transferred to St. Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan in 2002 and played full forward for the side. He won a Derry Intermediate Football Championship with the club in 2003 and says it as precious and meaningful to him as the All-Ireland medal he won in 1993.[4]

Honours

References

  1. ^ "Derry GAA legend Gary Coleman: 'I'll boycott games if Rory Gallagher is reappointed as Oakleaf manager'".
  2. ^ Corry, Eoghan (1993). Oakboys - Derry's Football Dream Come True. Dublin, Ireland: Torc Books Ltd. p. 22. ISBN 1-898142-10-6.
  3. ^ "Lyons' pride pass tough test of character to land League". Irish Examiner. 27 April 1998. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  4. ^ Crowe, Dermot (1 June 2008). "Coleman's enduring legacy". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 June 2008.