Fond memories of Seán Sheehy as league-winning winger inducted into the Dundalk FC Hall of Fame

Dundalk FC and the IPFBA have presented a posthumous Hall of Fame Award to the family of the much-travelled and fondly remembered former Town winger, the late Seán ‘Sheets’ Sheehy, who passed away suddenly just over a year ago.

The honour — part of Dundalk’s Centenary Legends series — was received at the FAI Cup game against Castlebar at Oriel Park last Saturday evening by Seán’s sons Trevor and Seanie and his brother Eugene. They and family friends were joined by Terry Eviston and Harry McCue from the IPFBA (above) for the occasion.

From Sallynoggin, but the son of a Dundalk man and big Lilywhites supporter, Seán made over 130 appearances for the Louth club across two spells in the seventies. His hard-working, athletic, long-striding style made him a powerful attacking presence out wide or as a second striker.

A proud schoolboy product of St Josephs AFC, Seán signed for Town in the summer of 1970 and, seen as an outstanding prospect, became an automatic first choice. But after nearly 50 games, with Dundalk in dire financial straits, he was one of four players transferred, the others being Turlough O’Connor, Tom McConville and Paddy Turner.

Seán signed for Second Division Preston North End (managed by Alan Ball) in August 1972 but couldn’t break into the first team. And so, after trials with Huddersfield Town and Norwich City and an injury-hit season at Dundee United, he moved back to Dublin where (via Dalkey United) he put pen to paper with Bohemians (below left) in September 1974.

He scored the goal that clinched Bohs’ first league title in almost 40 years in 1974–75 — the winner against Athlone being one of five goals Seán scored in 15 League games that season (above right). He also helped them to the League Cup before returning to Dundalk.

In the next two years he made 43 appearances for the Lilywhites, collecting another League winner’s medal in 1975-76 as a key member of Jim McLaughlin’s breakthrough side (above left), netting nine times during that campaign.

Competition for places became intense, however, and having missed out on the 1977 FAI Cup success, Seán signed for league newcomers Thurles Town in September 1977. He replaced Jimmy McGeough as manager in January but within a few months, having been named the club’s player of the year, he’d left to join Shelbourne.

Seán subsequently had spells with Finn Harps and Dunleary Celtic before he re-signed for Thurles, where he ended his career in 1981. An intelligent and all-action player, he was capped by Ireland twice at U23 level, four times at youth level and three times as an amateur.

Sadly, Seán, a great family man who loved to watch his sons and grandsons on the soccer field, died while playing walking football in late July last year, aged 73. With his legendary wit and warm personality, he was a hugely popular figure. Seán lived his life to the full, made a huge impact on all who knew him, and is greatly missed by his loved ones and wide circle of friends.

Read Sean’s profile on the Dundalk FC Who’s Who website.