Patrick James Gormley (8th December 1932 – 25 August 2022) was a Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland. At club level he played with Claudy and was also a member of the Derry senior football team. Gormley usually lined out as a goalkeeper.

Patsy Gormley
Personal information
Irish name Pádraig Ó Garmaile
Sport Gaelic football
Position Goalkeeper
Born 8 December 1932
Claudy, Northern Ireland
Died 25 August 2022 (aged 89)
Wrexham, Wales
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Club(s)
Years Club
1956-1961
Claudy
Club titles
Derry titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
Derry
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NFL 0

Career edit

Gormley first played Gaelic football when he made the school's team as a 14-year-old, before later lining out at adult level with the Claudy club. He first appeared on the inter-county scene with Derry as a member of the minor team in 1952. Gormley claimed his first inter-county silverware when he won an Ulster JFC medal in 1955. This success earned him an immediate call-up to the senior team.[1][2] Gormley, having earlier won Dr McKenna Cup and Ulster SFC medals, lined out in goal when Derry were beaten by Dublin in the 1958 All-Ireland final.[3][4]

What was exceptional about Derry’s goalkeeper was that he played at the highest level with only one eye, after losing an eye as a child following an accident on the farm yard.

Death edit

Gormley died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales on 25 August 2022, at the age of 89.[5]

Honours edit

Derry

References edit

  1. ^ "Former Derry star will be special guest at French GAA finals in Lyon". The Irish News. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  2. ^ "Derry legends always a step ahead". Derry GAA website. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Defining point". Irish Times. 28 June 2003. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  4. ^ "FEATURE: The early foundations for Derry's march to Sam". Derry Now. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Patrick James (Patsy) GORMLEY". Funeral Times. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.