GAA HERO EAMONN DIES AT 59; All-Ireland manager loses cancer fight.

Byline: By MAURICE FITZMAURICE

THE man who masterminded Derry's only All-Ireland football title has died.

Eamonn Coleman passed away on Monday night aged 59.

The "totally inspirational" boss, who drove his side to win the Sam Maguire in 1993, had been battling cancer since 2005.

Yesterday one of Coleman's protege's said his old boss convinced his team they could win the game's ultimate prize.

Joe Brolly added: "He communicated to us we were winners.

"Eamonn was like a boy trapped in a man's body and totally youthful.

That makes it all the more shocking that he has died."

"He couldn't be disliked. He was such a vivid presence for us. The leader of that group.

"He was so full of craic and so affectionate to us and affectionate for everybody in fact.

"It's very shocking for everybody, for his family and his son Gary."

The former Derry and Cavan manager, who did not drink or smoke, was a native of Ballymcguigan in south Co Derry.

He won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1965 and was an Under-21 winner three years later.

But it was as a manager that he set himself apart. Sometimes controversial but always colourful, he was sensationally sacked by Derry the year after his All-Ireland triumph but returned to succeed Brian Mullins in 1999.

But corner forward Brolly said Coleman's departure was "the end of the team".

He added: "He was banished in amazing circumstances and without the team leader - we were struggling-a team is all about togetherness and loyalty.

"He was a totally inspirational person. He spoke a version of English you wouldn't find in a textbook but he had a terrific turn of phrase.

"He told us we would win an All-Ireland.

"Eamonn would deliver thundering oration and with all the Derry boys, the hairs were standing up on the back of the necks.

"He said to me: 'You're the best corner forward in Ireland.

I can't believe how good you are'. "I only realised in hindsight that it was a lie but I really believed it at the time.

"Everybody loved him and we were totally devoted to him.

"We had a collection of fine footballers. Each player was a marquee player but we weren't going anywhere.

"He came in and brought in modern methods of training."

In the late 1980s Coleman was a key figure in the UUJ Sigerson Cup breakthrough team.

Along with Belfast man Charlie Sweeney, "wee Eamonn " steered Jordanstown to inter-varsity wins in 1986 and 1987.

Derry County Board bosses took note and Coleman was handed the reigns of the senior team in 1990.

Success quickly followed and he first tasted glory with the National League title in 1992.

Coleman led Derry to another Ulster final appearance a few months later but they were narrowly edged out by Armagh.

Following a brief flirtation with Longford in the mid-1990s, Coleman then drifted into club management in Cavan.

By 2000 he had returned to Derry and brought them yet another National League title.

But it will be that golden afternoon in Croke Park in 1993 when his beloved Derry defeated Cork which cemented his place in GAA history.

He Won Us Title: Pages 50&51

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CAPTION(S):

LEGEND: Eamonn Coleman led Derry to their only All-Ireland title in 1993; INSPIRED: Eamonn was loved by players