Eugene Sheelan Explained

Eugene Sheelan (1949–2012) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a Midfielder and Forward for the Louth senior team.

Playing Career

Sheelan made his senior inter-county debut in 1969 and for the next decade was a regular for Louth.In 1973 he scored a decisive goal as Louth defeated Dublin in a second round replay of the Leinster Senior Football Championship.^[1]

In Louth club football he lined out for his local team St Patrick's. Based in Dublin for work purposes, he eventually transferred to Garda before moving to the Civil Service club, where he would win a Dublin Senior Football Championship medal in 1980 alongside his Louth team-mate Benny Gaughran.^[2]

Death

He died suddenly at his home in Glebemount, Wicklow on 27 August 2012.^[3] He was predeceased by his wife Josephine.^[4]

Honours

• Leinster Under-21 Football Championship (1): 1970^[5]
• Louth Junior Football Championship (1): 1972^[6]
• Louth Junior A Football League (2): 1970, 1972
• Ranafast Cup (1): 1966^[7]
• Dublin Senior Football Championship (1): 1980

Notes and References

1. Web site: Louth have lost 14 times in championship clashes with Dublin since 1973. Drogheda Independent. 13 May 2023.
2. Web site: Bonar, Seamus. Hogan Stand. 27 December 2012.
3. Web site: Eugene was a star forward for the Reds. Irish Independent. 5 September 2012.
4. Web site: Untimely death of Jo Sheehan. Wicklow People. 21 February 2002.
5. Web site: Louth capture first Leinster U-21 title in dramatic fashion. Drogheda Independent. 4 August 2010.
6. Web site: Curiosity Corner: I play rugby for Scotland – and he was a World Heavyweight boxing champion early in the last century (Joe Carroll's Inside Track). Dundalk Democrat. 16 February 2024.
7. Web site: Wee County Yearbook - Friends We Lost. Louth GAA. 2013.