Eddie Spence

Eddie Spence
Personal information
Irish name Éamonn Mac Spealáin
Sport Gaelic football
Position Forward
Born (1925-08-09)9 August 1925
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died 31 January 2023(2023-01-31) (aged 97)
Antrim, Northern Ireland
Club(s)
Years Club
 Belfast O'Connell's
Club titles
Antrim titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
 Antrim
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NFL 0

Edward Spence (9 August 1925 – 31 January 2023) was a Northern Irish Gaelic footballer. At club level he played with Belfast O'Connell's and at inter-county level with the Antrim senior football team. Spence usually lined out as a forward.

Career

Spence first played Gaelic football as a schoolboy at St Malachy's College in Belfast. His performances saw him join the Belfast O'Connell's junior team while still underage, before making his first senior appearance as an 18-year-old.[1]

After being overlooked for the Antrim minor football team, Spence first appeared on the inter-county scene as a member of the junior team. He soon progressed to the senior team. Spence was a member of the Antrim team that won the Ulster SFC title in 1946.[2][3]

Death

Spence died on 31 January 2023, at the age of 97.[4]

Honours

Antrim

References

  1. ^ "Eddie Spence, last survivor of Antrim 1946 football team, passes away". The Irish News. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Reports of Antrim hero's death greatly exaggerated". Hogan Stand. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Eddie Spence RIP". The Saffron Gael. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  4. ^ "The death has occurred of Eddie SPENCE". Funeral Times website. Retrieved 7 February 2023.