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RIP: Remembering sports people we lost in 2012

From GAA great Páidí Ó Sé to boxing legend Angelo Dundee we take a look back at some of the many sporting greats that Ireland, and the world, lost this year.
8.03pm, 27 Dec 2012
5

IT HAS BEEN a vintage year for Irish and international sport, but it has also been one marked with tragedy.

The deaths of Nevin Spence and Brian Óg Maguire so close together in September marked a particularly difficult month for Irish sport.

Here’s some of those we’ve lost in 2012.

Gary Ablett
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  • Gary Ablett

    The former Everton, Liverpool and Sheffield United player was just 46 when he died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on New Year's Day 2012. Image: EMPICS Liverpool. UK

  • Colm Tucker

    The former Ireland flanker was also capped twice by the British and Irish Lions during their 1980 tour of South Africa. Image: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images

  • Angelo Dundee

    Dundee worked with no less than 16 world boxing champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard, José Nápoles, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Image: Jim Kerlin/AP/Press Association Images

  • Phil Shanahan

    Phil Shanahan played for both Dublin and Tipperary in an inter-county career that saw him win three All-Ireland titles. His first win, pictured above, came in 1949. Image: YouTube screengrab

  • Eamon 'Chick' Deacy

    Chick Deacy spent three years in the League of Ireland before moving to Aston Villa in 1978 and winning the English league title in 1981. Image: Dave Hodges/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport

  • Bertie Messitt

    Messitt was one of three Irish competitors in the men's marathon at the 1960 Olympics. He passed away aged 81 in February this year. Image: AP/Press Association Images

  • Jocky Wilson

    Wilson, with his unique throwing style, was crowned darts World Champion twice. He died, aged 62, in March this year. Image: Don Morley/EMPICS Sport

  • Jim Stynes

    Aussie Rules legend Jim Stynes lost his lengthy battle with Cancer in March 2012. Image: INPHO/Getty Images

  • Dave Sexton

    Dave Sexton managed Chelsea, Manchester United and England U21s in a career that saw him lift the FA Cup in 1970. Image: S&G/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport

  • Dermot Hannafin

    Dermot Hannafin won his only All-Ireland title with Kerry in 1953 when they defeated Armagh to claim the Sam Maguire. Image: YouTube screengrab of Kerry captain Jas Murphy from that year.

  • John Egan

    John Egan won six All-Ireland titles and five All-Stars with Kerry in a ten year inter-county career with the Kingdom. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland

  • Dorothy Dermody

    Dorothy Dermody, who died in April aged 102, competed in fencing for Ireland at the 1948 London Olympic Games. Image: Empics/EMPICS Sport

  • Junior Seau

    San Diego Chargers player Junior Seau took his own life at the age of 43 in May 2012. Image: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File

  • Paddy Madigan

    While Paddy Madigan never won a full Ireland cap he did go on to become president of the IRFU. Image: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

  • Alan McDonald

    The 48-year-old former Northern Ireland player and manager died suddenly while playing golf in June this year. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland

  • Con Houlihan

    Con Houlihan was one of Ireland's best loved journalists and wrote passionately about a range of sports right up until his death in August. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

  • Phil Kelly

    Phil Kelly won five Ireland caps and played more than 100 games for Norwich in an eight-year professional career. Image: YouTube screengrab

  • Art Modell

    Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell with the Super Bowl he helped the team win. He was 87 when he died in September this year. Image: AP Photo/Dave Martin

  • Corrie Sanders

    Sanders (left) defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO World Heavyweight Championship in 2003. He was fatally wounded during an armed robbery this year. Image: AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta

  • Brian Óg Maguire

    Brian Óg Maguire led Lisnaskea Emmets to All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship glory in 2011 before losing his life in a workplace accident in September aged just 24. Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

  • Nevin Spence

    Nevin Spence was 22 when he died alongside his father Noel and brother Graham in a farming accident on September 15. Image: INPHO/John Dickson

  • Paul O'Connor

    Paul O'Connor (right) won five consecutive Fitzgibbon Cups with University College Cork and two county championships with Na Piarsigh. Image: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

  • Gerry Culliton

    Gerry Culliton was capped 19 times for Ireland and also featured on the 1961 Barbarians side that provided South Africa with their only loss of a 30-match tour. Image: INPHO/IRFU Collection

  • Emanuel Steward

    Steward trained no less than 41 world champion fighters throughout his career but will be best remembered for his work with Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Image: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

  • Páidí Ó Sé

    The world of Irish sport was rocked in December when news broke that legendary Kerry football Páidí Ó Sé had died aged 57. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland
  • The former Everton, Liverpool and Sheffield United player was just 46 when he died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on New Year's Day 2012. Image: EMPICS Liverpool. UK
  • The former Ireland flanker was also capped twice by the British and Irish Lions during their 1980 tour of South Africa. Image: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images
  • Dundee worked with no less than 16 world boxing champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard, José Nápoles, George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Image: Jim Kerlin/AP/Press Association Images
  • Phil Shanahan played for both Dublin and Tipperary in an inter-county career that saw him win three All-Ireland titles. His first win, pictured above, came in 1949. Image: YouTube screengrab
  • Chick Deacy spent three years in the League of Ireland before moving to Aston Villa in 1978 and winning the English league title in 1981. Image: Dave Hodges/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport
  • Messitt was one of three Irish competitors in the men's marathon at the 1960 Olympics. He passed away aged 81 in February this year. Image: AP/Press Association Images
  • Wilson, with his unique throwing style, was crowned darts World Champion twice. He died, aged 62, in March this year. Image: Don Morley/EMPICS Sport
  • Aussie Rules legend Jim Stynes lost his lengthy battle with Cancer in March 2012. Image: INPHO/Getty Images
  • Dave Sexton managed Chelsea, Manchester United and England U21s in a career that saw him lift the FA Cup in 1970. Image: S&G/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport
  • Dermot Hannafin won his only All-Ireland title with Kerry in 1953 when they defeated Armagh to claim the Sam Maguire. Image: YouTube screengrab of Kerry captain Jas Murphy from that year.
  • John Egan won six All-Ireland titles and five All-Stars with Kerry in a ten year inter-county career with the Kingdom. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland
  • Dorothy Dermody, who died in April aged 102, competed in fencing for Ireland at the 1948 London Olympic Games. Image: Empics/EMPICS Sport
  • San Diego Chargers player Junior Seau took his own life at the age of 43 in May 2012. Image: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File
  • While Paddy Madigan never won a full Ireland cap he did go on to become president of the IRFU. Image: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
  • The 48-year-old former Northern Ireland player and manager died suddenly while playing golf in June this year. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland
  • Con Houlihan was one of Ireland's best loved journalists and wrote passionately about a range of sports right up until his death in August. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
  • Phil Kelly won five Ireland caps and played more than 100 games for Norwich in an eight-year professional career. Image: YouTube screengrab
  • Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell with the Super Bowl he helped the team win. He was 87 when he died in September this year. Image: AP Photo/Dave Martin
  • Sanders (left) defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO World Heavyweight Championship in 2003. He was fatally wounded during an armed robbery this year. Image: AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta
  • Brian Óg Maguire led Lisnaskea Emmets to All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship glory in 2011 before losing his life in a workplace accident in September aged just 24. Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
  • Nevin Spence was 22 when he died alongside his father Noel and brother Graham in a farming accident on September 15. Image: INPHO/John Dickson
  • Paul O'Connor (right) won five consecutive Fitzgibbon Cups with University College Cork and two county championships with Na Piarsigh. Image: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
  • Gerry Culliton was capped 19 times for Ireland and also featured on the 1961 Barbarians side that provided South Africa with their only loss of a 30-match tour. Image: INPHO/IRFU Collection
  • Steward trained no less than 41 world champion fighters throughout his career but will be best remembered for his work with Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko. Image: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
  • The world of Irish sport was rocked in December when news broke that legendary Kerry football Páidí Ó Sé had died aged 57. Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland

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    Kian
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    Jul 14th 2014, 12:51 PM

    That will be mental!

    413
    Declan Conway
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    Jul 14th 2014, 10:26 PM

    What about the Scotland fans?

    3
    I love my County
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    Jul 14th 2014, 12:56 PM

    Should be a great occasion and atmosphere!

    281
    Dan
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    Jul 14th 2014, 1:01 PM

    Ah lads, couldnt we go to Ibrox?

    240
    Tricia Golden
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    Jul 14th 2014, 1:35 PM

    No guarantee it would till be “Ibrox” by then….. might belong to the Liquidators…..

    217
    Mr Phil Officer
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:53 PM

    Someone threw a pound on the pitch at ibrox and police are investigating whether it was a missile or a bid to buy the club :)

    267
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    Shane Kearney
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Pound? Bit steep for Rangers

    77
    Mark Kelly
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:32 PM

    Two home games for Ireland!

    133
    Ger O'Brien
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:04 PM

    Well I’m sure the Celtic supporters will be supporting their own Country, right?

    74
    Hung Xi
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Do you think it will be a crowd made up of Irish and Celtic supporters only? Celtic supporters will support their own country anyway.

    31
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    The Green Monkey
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:18 PM

    Majority of Celtic supporters support the Republic of Ireland……..

    93
    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:37 PM

    of course they will be supporting their own country, why would celtic fans in Glasgow want to support west liverchester?

    29
    Hung Xi
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:55 PM

    Bollocks to the notion that the majority support Ireland

    43
    Ger O'Brien
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:19 PM

    Surely the majority of Celtic Supporters born and raised in Scotland would support Scotland? Irish connection aside, they are a Scottish club so logic would suggest they’ll support their National side.

    40
    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:28 PM

    Exactly why would they want to support a country full of English fans

    27
    Michael
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    Jul 14th 2014, 10:55 PM

    Barstoolers must be watering at the mouth, where is Glasgow in Ireland. EMBARRASSMENT”

    5
    Vincent Foley
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    Jul 14th 2014, 11:07 PM

    Majority support scotland with a bit of a gra for Ireland. A smaill minority of hardcore support Ireland.

    22
    The Green Monkey
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    Jul 15th 2014, 12:52 AM

    Hung if you haven’t got a breeze what you are talking about don’t comment

    7
    The Green Monkey
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    Jul 15th 2014, 1:06 AM

    Where is Liverpool, Manchester, London or Newcastle in Ireland. The last time I checked there was no ban on people supporting which ever team they want to…………

    12
    Graham O'Brien
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    Jul 14th 2014, 4:35 PM

    Frankie Boyle will be delighted.

    87
    Liam O'Catháin
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:24 PM

    Can’t wait for it#COYBIG

    83
    Chris O'Ceallaigh
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:12 PM

    Session on

    67
    Very fond of
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:30 PM

    Yeah once the session is on and we have the ‘craic’ sure the match itself is only secondary … Je*us wept

    47
    Chief
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    Jul 14th 2014, 3:48 PM

    Screw the session chris, looks like someone thinks you’re one of the players.

    53
    Pauliebhoy
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    Jul 14th 2014, 4:04 PM

    Jackie Macs testimonial with a game against Ireland was fantastic, even the zombies stayed in hiding and didn’t cause any trouble, Glasgow truly was Green & White that weekend

    51
    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:14 PM

    More fans in the Scotland will know the words of the irish national anthem than in the irish end

    37
    The Green Monkey
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    Jul 14th 2014, 4:27 PM

    Hail hail……..

    37
    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:01 PM

    not since celtic played arsenal in a CL qualifier a few years back has there been so many EPL fans packed into the away end at celtic park

    36
    Bobby
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    Jul 14th 2014, 4:25 PM

    Home from Home.

    36
    Gerry Duffy
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    Jul 14th 2014, 4:16 PM

    Absolutely nothing wrong with that now!

    35
    Michael Eden
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    Jul 14th 2014, 8:21 PM

    Scotland could be an independent country by the time the
    match comes around, if they vote ” yes ” to leaving the U.K.
    In the referendum in September.

    23
    Monica Li
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:16 PM

    They better make sure that they have the required license needed before they sell tickets

    17
    Hung Xi
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:56 PM

    That joke was boring last week

    29
    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:45 PM

    Apparently street sellers in Glasgow have ordered hundreds of green St Georges cross flags that play the match of the day tune when you wave them for the ole ole brigade

    15
    Jakim Berndsen
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    Jul 14th 2014, 5:48 PM

    Surprised they’ve not taken the opportunity to play some qualifiers in the Capital. Oh well, a train journey and a trip to dark head it is!

    10
    Conor Walsh
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    Jul 14th 2014, 6:42 PM

    None of the stadiums are big enough, apart from the rugby one. I doubt the Scottish FA want to be knocking on their door when they have a bigger stadium in a city which cares more about football.

    22
    Jakim Berndsen
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    Jul 14th 2014, 7:34 PM

    Why not? They’ve played Internationals in Easter Road before. Murrayfield is a nicer ground than any other in Scotland. It’s not a secret that the SFA will be paying Celtic and Sevco handsomely for use of the grounds, which they probably wouldn’t have had to do at Murrayfield. The chances of Celtic Park being filled are near enough 0 anyway.

    Cares more about football? Tell that to any Hibs, Hearts or Aberdeen fan and they’ll tell you that’s rubbish. Supporting Celtic and “The” Rangers is the easy option in Scotland, just because they’ve more fans doesn’t mean Glasgow cares more about football.

    14
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    John Stewart
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    Jul 14th 2014, 9:07 PM

    The game is in Paradise not in the egg chasers ranch, dry your eyes and move on

    14
    Robbie Forde
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    Jul 14th 2014, 9:08 PM

    That will be some shit game

    9
    Karen
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    Jul 15th 2014, 11:53 AM

    That will be some sing off ( oh and match of course)

    2
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