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Roger Harty was in London recently where he met John Egan – son of the late Kerry GAA great – who plays soccer with Championship side Brentford who face Chelsea today and says the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…
Roger Harty with Brentford’s John Egan, son of the legendary Kerry footballer.
THE word legend is a word that should not be bandied about too easily but I think it is appropriate when one talks about that great Kerry footballer John Egan (6 All Ireland medals).
Much has been written about that All-Ireland medal laden team of Mick O’Dwyer’s that dominated Gaelic football in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and John Egan was certainly at the vanguard of this mighty set up.
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I had the great pleasure of meeting up with him a few years before he passed away some years ago.
He asked me if my sons played football and said he would give me one important piece of advice – practice the cross solo (solo with the right foot to the left hand and vice versa) and opponents will find it very difficult to dislodge the ball from you.
He was a master of this himself – a great and intelligent football brain – always looking for an edge and yet so comfortable on the ball.
As the old saying goes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree so I had the equal pleasure of meeting his son – of course carrying the name with pride – John Egan, along with his mother Mary (a league of Ireland medal winner in her own right) on a visit to Brentford recently where he plies his trade with the English Championship side.
He started his career with Sunderland and had loan spells with Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford City (where he had a serious leg break in 2012) and also Southend United.
He then transferred to Gillingham (2014) where he made 81 appearances and won the Gillingham Player of the Year award.
It was only a matter of time before his talent was recognised and last year signed to Championship side Brentford and was recently rewarded with a place on The Championship team of the year.
He has represented Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level and is a dead cert to get a call up for the Senior Irish squad in the very near future.
Today, Saturday, January 28 marks another significant moment in his career when his team Brentford take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at 3pm.
John, who togs out at right back will be testing his skills against the mighty Blues with the likes of Diego Costa, Hazard, Pedro, Moses, Kante and Matic in their side in front of a sell-out house of over 40,000.
Although born and raised in Cork he has Sneem Kerry blood running through his veins and is very proud of his Green and gold heritage.
He was an absolute gentleman to meet in person and had no difficulty signing home and away Brentford jerseys for me to bring back as a memento of my trip.
The Harty clan meets the Egans. From left; Tom Harty, Michael Ryan, Rory Harty, Roger Harty, John Egan, Roger Ryan and Mary Egan
Best of luck today John and remember, no matter what, win lose or draw you are putting yourself on the shop window and if any of the top premierships teams are looking for a bargain and true Kerry pedigree then they need look no further than our own John Egan.
Roger’s sons Seamus and Conor Harty supporting Brentford.
