Rovers in tribute to Eddie
IT was with great sadness that Sligo Rovers have learned of the sad news of the passing of Club President Eddie McCullagh.
The McCullagh family have been at heart of Rovers for many years, and Eddie shared his late brother Dermot’s passion for the club they held so dear.
Eddie was a supporter all his life, he served on the management committee and was a mainstay of the club lottery since it was introduced in the early 1990s.
In the late 1960s when Rovers bought the Showgrounds, Eddie led a team of volunteers to carry out a weekly collection around the housing estates of Sigo town. Eddie’s patch included MCR, St Brigid’s and St Joseph’s, 144 houses he called to without fail every week, a huge commitment but typical of Eddie that he fulfilled this duty without any fuss. As he recalled in later years: “Times were tough then, but people always had their shilling for Sligo Rovers”.
The club said: “Eddie was one of the most modest and unassuming men you could meet, but it would be a brave soul who would criticise Sligo Rovers in his presence.
“His affection for the club attracted countless other supporters and volunteers to follow in his footsteps. In later years he suffered ill health and was cared for by a close circle of family and friends, in recent times in the loving care of staff of St John’s Hospital, where he was affectionately known as ‘Mr President’.
“He passed away on Thursday night, with those that loved and cared for him by his side and along with some treasured Sligo Rovers mementos.
“Eddie will be sorely missed by his many friends at Sligo Rovers, but he will always be remembered and cherished as a gentle, kind soul who was one of the club’s most loyal and dedicated servants.
“Ar dheis De go raibh a anam,” the club added.