Gary Deegan

Gary Deegan
Personal information
Full name Gary Richard Deegan[1]
Date of birth (1987-09-28) 28 September 1987
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Southend United
Number 22
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2004–2006 Shelbourne 1 (0)
2006 → Kilkenny City (loan) 18 (4)
2007 Longford Town 30 (3)
2008 Galway United 17 (0)
2008–2009 Bohemians 35 (5)
2010–2012 Coventry City 42 (5)
2012–2013 Hibernian 20 (0)
2013–2014 Northampton Town 27 (1)
2014– Southend United 44 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21:48, 1 November 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (goals)

Gary Bilel Ibenfeldt Deegan (born 28 September 1987) is an Irish association footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Southend United. Deegan has previously played for Shelbourne, Kilkenny City, Longford Town, Galway United, Bohemians and Coventry City.

Career

Ireland

Deegan started his career with Shelbourne. He made one competitive appearance for their first team, as a second-half substitute in a UEFA Intertoto Cup game 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 to gain experience and regular first team football.

Deegan left Shelbourne during the winter of 2006 following their financial meltdown and subsequently joined Longford Town in February 2007.[2] 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, which he missed due to a suspension. Deegan signed for Galway United on a full-time basis on 24 January 2008, but was released on 9 July due to financial difficulties at Galway.

Deegan was not to stay out of football for long as Pat Fenlon swooped to sign Deegan for Dublin club Bohemians until the end of the 2008 season.[3] He made his debut for the Gypsies in a 3–0 win over Cobh Ramblers at Dalymount Park on 1 August. He scored 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.[4] 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.[5]

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. 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.[6]

Coventry City

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.[7] Deegan made his debut for Coventry as a second-half substitute against Barnsley on 9 January 2010.[8] He 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.[9] His second goal for the club was a late equaliser in the M69 derby on 21 March 2010, with the match finishing 2–2.[10]

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.[11] In 2012 Deegan was the subject of controversy after tweeting a pro-IRA slogan.[12] He was banned for two weeks by the club, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.[13]

Hibernian

Deegan signed for Hibernian, managed by Pat Fenlon (which the pair worked together at Bohemians), in August 2012 on a one-year deal.[14] After joining, Fenlon said that he believed Deegan would become a fan favourite at the club.[15] Deegan made his debut, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against Edinburgh derby rivals Heart of Midlothian. He helped the club improve its form in the early part of the 2012–13 season, but Deegan then suffered a broken jaw when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Edinburgh city centre.[16] Deegan resumed training exercises in late November.[17] A 27-year-old man was charged with assault in connection with the incident in December.[18] Deegan said that his injury left him only able to eat soup for five weeks.[19] Deegan made his return, coming on as a substitute, in a 3–2 loss against Motherwell on 15 December 2012. Deegan scored his first Hibs goal with a 30-yard strike in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup in a 1–0 victory over Aberdeen. He left Hibs at the end of his contract, after failing to secure a regular first team place.[20]

Northampton Town

On 25 July 2013, Deegan joined Northampton Town on a one-year deal after a successful trial.[21]

Southend United

Deegan joined Southend United on 22 August 2014 on a free transfer.[22] He made his début for the club against AFC Wimbledon and throughout the 2014–15 season established himself as a favourite among the fans due to the commitment and passion that he displayed on the pitch as well as his iconic beard.[23]

On 4 August 2015 Deegan signed a one year contract with an option for a second year[24] with the club which was first announced by manager Phil Brown live on Sky Sports News HQ while he (Brown) was having his back waxed.

Career statistics

As of 3 February 2013[25]
Club Season League Cup[note 1] League Cup[note 2] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Coventry 2009–10 1720000172
2010–11 10000010
2011–12 2431000253
Total 4251000435
Hibernian 2012–13 1601110181
Total 1601110181
Career totals 5852110616

Honours

Galway United

Bohemians

Southend United

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup and Scottish Cup
  2. ↑ Includes Football League Cup, Scottish League Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup

References

  1. ↑ "The Football League Retained List". The Football League. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  2. ↑ New signings confirmed → www.ltfc.ie
  3. ↑ Deegan signs for Bohs → www.bohemians.ie
  4. ↑ Deegan Player of the Month → www.fai.ie
  5. ↑ Team of the Season → www.eircomloi.ie
  6. ↑ PFAI Team of the Year 2009 → www.rte.ie
  7. ↑ Deegan signs for Coventry → www.rte.ie
  8. ↑ "Deegan makes debut". BBC Sport. BBC.
  9. ↑ "Coventry 1–0 QPR". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 February 2010.
  10. ↑ "Leicester 2–2 Coventry". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 March 2010.
  11. ↑ Deegan suffers injury setback → www.ccfc.co.uk
  12. ↑ Belfast Telegraph
  13. ↑ "Gary Deegan suspended by Coventry City over Twitter post". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Midfielder Joins Hibernian". www.hibernianfc.co.uk (Hibernian FC). 4 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Hibs boss Pat Fenlon's Dee-light at capture of ex-Bohemians star". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 7 August 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Hibs' Gary Deegan out for weeks after jaw surgery". BBC Sport (BBC). 9 October 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  17. ↑ "Hibs reveal Gary Deegan will need time as he nears recovery from broken jaw". Daily Record. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  18. ↑ "Man charged over assault on Hibs player Gary Deegan". BBC News. BBC. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  19. ↑ "Fit-again Hibs star Gary Deegan reveals how jaw break left him living like a hermit". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 15 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  20. ↑ Haggerty, Anthony (15 June 2013). "Hibernian midfielder Gary Deegan quits the side for first team football". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  21. ↑ "Northampton Town sign JJ Hooper and Gary Deegan". BBC Sport. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  22. ↑ "Gary Deegan: Southend United deal for former Northampton man". BBC Sport. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  23. ↑ http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/blues/12948617.Southend_United_s_Gary_Deegan_hopes_famous_beard_gets_to_grace_Wembley_/?ref=rss
  24. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33773217
  25. ↑ Gary Deegan career statistics at Soccerbase

External links

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