Members News: ‘The Pit Bull’ Hits 37 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Deegs!

Gary in the Sky Blue 2010

One of several CCFPA members still playing senior professional football CCFPA would like to wish our member, tenacious defensive midfielder, nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’, Gary Deegan a very happy birthday for today – one of two members with exactly the same birthday!  Born in Dublin on 28th September 1987 Gary is therefore celebrating his 37th Birthday. Congratulations!

The Irishman started out with Shelbourne in 2005 and then gained further experience in his home country with Kilkenny City, Longford Town and Galway United. However, it was from Bohemians that Coventry City FC signed Gary in new year 2010 and he made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Sky Blues scoring five goals.  Since leaving The Sky Blues in 2012 for Hibernian, Gary has also turned out for Northampton Town (2013) and Southend United (2014) prior to signing for Shrewsbury Town for the 2016-17 season on a two year contract.

Former committee member Frank Pritchard welcomes Gary to CCFPA in Aug.2017

However, he left the Shrews with a year left to run on his contract having made 48 appearances in all competitions for them and on 1st June 2017 joined Sky Blues then League Two rivals Cambridge United and ‘Deegs’ was in the ‘U’s side that out-muscled the Sky Blues to 2-1 defeat at their place that season.

Gary ended up playing 89 games for the United (one goal) -with games restricted by a bout of blood poisoning- before returning back to his roots signing for Shelbourne in August 2020 after going out there on loan from January 2020.

Gary Deegan (Drogheda Utd.)

After three goals in eighteen appearances there in December 2020 Gary signed a one year deal with League Of Ireland First Division champions and newly promoted Premier Division outfit Drogheda United.

Still going strong in the 2024-25 season for them the League of Ireland and last season appointed their captain Deegs is approaching his century of appearances for the club and netted once for Drogheda at the time of writing.

Have a great Birthday today Gary and please come and visit us at a CCFPA event whenever your playing commitments will allow!

Look out for our greetings to another Sky Blue with exactly the same birth day month and year on this site shortly!

Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images