Irish name Gearoid O Colmain Occupation Postman Education Saint Pius X College Sport Gaelic football Years Club All irelands 1 | Position Defender Name Gary Coleman All stars 1 Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Role Gaelic footballer | |
Born 26 June 1972 (age 51)
County Londonderry, Northern Ireland ( 1972-06-26 ) | ||
Gary Coleman (Irish: Gearóid Ó Colmáin; born 26 June 1972) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played with Derry in the 1990s and early 2000s. He still plays club football with St. Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan.
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Coleman was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, as well as the 1993 and 1998 Ulster Championship winning teams. For his performances in the 1993 Championship he won an All Star award. While usually playing in defence for Derry, he often played in attack for Magherafelt and current club Ballymaguigan.
Personal life
Coleman attended school at Saint Pius X College in Magherafelt. His father Eamonn was manager of the 1993 Derry team that won the All-Ireland.
Inter-county career
Regarded as one of the best Derry minor players of all time, Coleman captained Derry minors to two Ulster Minor Championships and an All-Ireland Minor Championship. He also won an Ulster Under-21 Championship medal in 1993.
He was part of Derry's 1993 Ulster Championship and All-Ireland winning team, which beat Cork in the final. Coleman added a second Ulster Championship medal in 1998.
He won four National Football League medals with Derry in 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2000. Coleman and Derry finished runners-up to Offaly in the 1998 National League decider.
Club career
Coleman started his career with O'Donovan Rossa GAC Magherafelt. After moving to his father's home townland of Ballymaguigan a few years ago, Coleman transferred to St. Trea's GFC Ballymaguigan in 2002 and played full forward for the side. He won a Derry Intermediate Football Championship with the club in 2003 and says it as precious and meaningful to him as the All-Ireland medal he won in 1993.