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Patrick James Gormley (8th December 1932 – 25 August 2022) was a Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland. At club level he played with Claudy and was also a member of the Derry senior football team. Gormley usually lined out as a goalkeeper.

Career

Gormley first played Gaelic football when he made the school's team as a 14-year-old, before later lining out at adult level with the Claudy club. He first appeared on the inter-county scene with Derry as a member of the minor team in 1952. Gormley claimed his first inter-county silverware when he won an Ulster JFC medal in 1955. This success earned him an immediate call-up to the senior team. Gormley, having earlier won Dr McKenna Cup and Ulster SFC medals, lined out in goal when Derry were beaten by Dublin in the 1958 All-Ireland final.

What was exceptional about Derry’s goalkeeper was that he played at the highest level with only one eye, after losing an eye as a child following an accident on the farm yard.

Death

Gormley died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales on 25 August 2022, at the age of 89.

Honours

Derry

• Ulster Senior Football Championship: 1958
• Dr McKenna Cup: 1958, 1960
• Ulster Junior Football Championship: 1955

References

1. "Former Derry star will be special guest at French GAA finals in Lyon". The Irish News. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
2. "Derry legends always a step ahead". Derry GAA website. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
3. "Defining point". Irish Times. 28 June 2003. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
4. "FEATURE: The early foundations for Derry's march to Sam". Derry Now. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
5. "Patrick James (Patsy) GORMLEY". Funeral Times. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

• 1934 births
• 2022 deaths
• Derry inter-county Gaelic footballers
• Ulster inter-provincial Gaelic footballers
• Gaelic football goalkeepers