Ulster Hockey mourns centurion Des Simon
ULSTER Hockey is mourning the passing of elder statesman Des Simon.
Des, who was 101, passed away yesterday morning.
A former Ulster and Irish president, he had celebrated reaching the century in September 2016 at a function in Belfast Castle attended by family and friends.
Earlier that day he had received a telegram from The Queen, a visit from the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church and a hamper from the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey.
A former international hock- Huge loss: Des Simon has passed away at the age of 101
ey umpire, Des devoted many years to hockey in Ulster and, as well as having held the Ulster and Irish president roles, he was honorary secretary to the branch from 1970 to 1988.
A long-standing member of the Cliftonville club, he had an ever-smiling face and attitude with an open mind to change, which were useful attributes in his line of work.
Des was named Personality of the Year at Ulster Hockey’s presentation dinner in May 2016, just short of his 100th birthday.
His funeral will be at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Whitehouse on Wednesday, January 3 at 10am.
GRAHAM HAMILTON DEFENDING champion Michael van Gerwen had to fight hard to beat Gerwyn Price in the World Championship at Alexandra Palace while Jamie Lewis produced the shock of the night to knock out second seed Peter Wright.
MVG won 4-2, Lewis triumphing 4-1 in the £1.8million showpiece.
Wright — who suffered a health scare ahead of the tournament — wasted four darts to save the match and Lewis won On top: Michael van Gerwen on way to victory last night
the next leg to wrap up victory.
The 26-year-old will face James Richardson tonight for a place in the quarter-finals, after Richardson defeated fellow Englishman Alan ‘Chuck’ Norris 4-1.
Also last night, five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld convincingly beat fellow Dutchman Vincent van der Voort 4-1.
Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor will ramp up his lap of honour when he takes on Keegan Brown tonight.
The 57-year-old legend already has a record 16 world titles in the bag and will be battling for a place in the quarter-finals of what will be his last ever tilt at the title.