We were saddened to hear about the sudden death of Eamon Downey on 30 August. Eamon resided in Dunloy and a native of Ballynease, Bellaghy but was well known throughout the county and beyond for both his passion for gaelic football and for mastering the art of playing the bagpipes.
Eamon won a Derry championship medal with his hometown club before marring Kate (née Brogan) and moving to Dunloy. Eamon continued to ply his trade for the Cuchullains for a number of years – prominently as a left half back.
Eamon’s passion for gaelic football continued as he coached at various levels in Dunloy, including senior. A mild-mannered gentleman, Eamon had a way of developing relationships with the players that earned their respect, allowing the players to develop by nurturing their talent in a knowledgeable and calming manner.
He would often be found sharing a joke with many of the players he coached throughout the years and the outpouring of condolences since his passing on various social media outlets is a testament to how highly Eamon was thought on by everyone who’s lives he touched.
Eamon was also a well-known soccer player having played for Portglenone FC, Corkey FC, Ballycastle United and Banview Rovers, all with distinction and winning many awards and trophies. He was a highly respected member of each club as could be recognised by the attendance at his wake and funeral.
In recent years, Eamon would have been better known for playing his bagpipes. Leading teams around the pitch on finals as a lone piper, Eamon was there when called upon and did so with pride. An All-Ireland and World Champion in 2004 with Seven Towers, Eamon started piping with his brother Paddy and later his younger brother Sean (RIP) at Bann Valley Pipe Band, Quinn Memorial as well as Seven Towers.
As fate would have it, Eamon’s passing came on the anniversary of his self-proclaimed ‘claim to fame’. Eamon was the lone piper that led Nobel Prize winner and poet Seamus Heaney through Bellaghy on the day he was buried, 13 years previous.
Eamon was a deeply devoted to his wife Kate and his three daughters Colette (McCamphill), Aileen (Duddy) and Bronagh (Keenan) along with their children, Oisín, Lucy, Cillian, Ollie, Reece and Aimee.
We at the Saffron Gael wish to pass our deepest condolences to Kate and all the Downey family as well as his brothers and sisters Paddy (Downey), Anne (Heaney), Francis (Downey), Mary (Dinsmore) and Kathleen (McTaggart).
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
