In 2010, a man died who left a bigger gap in our hearts than many, especially among the people of Roscommon: Lieutenant-General Dermot Earley, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

In his annual book ‘The Championship 2010′ another famous son of Roscommon, RTÉ’s renowned Gaelic Games Correspondent and match commentator, Brian Carthy, recalls his personal memories of Dermot Earley – the Gorthaganny man, the footballer, the husband and father, the soldier.

Here’s the first extract, the next two will appear at An Fear Rua, where this post was initially published.

IT IS SO difficult to comprehend that Dermot Earley has gone from us, all too soon for a man who always gave his very best in every facet of life.

I was privileged to know Dermot as a friend for a long time. He was a man with unique qualities. Even though Dermot was very ill for several months, we were all hoping and praying that he would make a full recovery.

One evening as I was leaving Dermot’s home in Newbridge in the latter stages of his illness, I said to his wife, Mary: ‘We’re looking for a miracle’. I was hoping against hope that the ‘miracle’ would mean a complete recovery or, if death from the illness was as inevitable as it seemed, that he would not have to suffer too much.

I suppose we all held out hope, particularly in the early stages of his sickness, that Dermot would somehow recover because of the battling qualities that were such a hallmark of his life, both as a footballer and as a leader in the Army. It was not to be.

Dermot was a special person, but he would be the first to say that he was blessed with a wonderful family. He met his future wife, Mary Egan from Moyne in county Tipperary, when he was just 20.

Mary was the central part of his life for over 40 years. Like his mother Kitty and late father Peadar, and the place of his upbringing Gorthaganny in west Roscommon and all his family and friends, Mary helped shape his life. He adored his family and they all cared for him so considerately, night, noon and morning, in the final months of his life.

His proud son, Dermot, displayed extraordinary courage when he lined out for Kildare against Antrim in the All-Ireland football qualifier first-round match in what was a highly-emotional championship game in Newbridge, just hours after his Dad was laid to rest with full military honours.

It was a most fitting tribute to the memory of his father who raised a family steeped in the GAA tradition. Like his father, Dermot won two All-Stars and his sister Noelle also won an All-Star in recognition of her prowess as a Ladies Gaelic footballer with Kildare.

Dermot senior had a special affinity with the county of Kildare where he spent most of his adult life. He also played for several years with Sarsfields in Newbridge, a club with which he won two county senior championship medals, in 1982 and 1986, and later served as chairman. Dermot also had spells as manager of Roscommon and Kildare.

I remember the overwhelming sadness I felt on the day, June 23rd, 2010 when I heard the news of Dermot’s untimely death. He was just 62. That very day, I was due to appear on the Derek Mooney Show on RTE Radio One to talk about Diego Maradona.

I have always taken a keen interest in Maradona’s career as I believe he was unrivalled as a world-class soccer player. I had visited Maradona’s home place on two occasions while on trips to Buenos Aires with the GAA All-Stars.

Derek recognised the significance of the death of such a legendary figure as Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, who had risen through the ranks to become Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. The coincidence of being on air on Derek’s programme gave me the opportunity to share with listeners my own personal memories of a fellow Roscommon man, who had made us all so proud and provided us with some of the most memorable sporting moments of our youth.

Quite apart from his magnificence as a footballer, Dermot had wonderful personal qualities and had respect for everyone he came in touch with in his daily life. His trademark was that strong almost bone-crushing handshake.

I was a youngster when I met Dermot for the first time in the late 60s and some years later interviewed him at his home in Kildare for the Roscommon Champion. He took an interest in my career thereafter and encouraged me at every opportunity.

I spoke to Dermot’s driver, Private Paddy Murray, at the month’s mind Mass and he told me about his first meeting with the future Chief of Staff. Like anyone starting a new job, Paddy arrived at Dermot’s house with more than a little apprehension. But that trepidation soon disappeared when he met Dermot.

Paddy told me that ‘Dermot sat in the car, gave me a firm handshake and then said: ‘Paddy Murray from Gracefield in Offaly,
you and I are going to get on mighty’. And mighty is how they did get on.

Indeed, Dermot used the word ‘mighty’ on a regular basis because for him it was all about accentuating the positive.