We had 3 very welcome visitors at a recent home game – our Irish Cup winning captain Dermot Keely and his grandchildren.
Dermot has lived in Lanzarote for some years but was determined to make a long overdue visit to the Bet McLean Oval on his next visit home. He was joined by his old team mate Jim Cleary on the day.
Dermot spoke to the Gazette: “I loved my two years at Glentoran and its always bothered me that I haven’t been back at the Oval since I left the club in 1984. So over the covid period when I was locked down in Lanzarote I made my mind up that I’d visit and take the grandchildren to see the stadium and meet some old friends.
It was a very different time when Ronnie McFall signed me from Dundalk in 1981, and there weren’t too many southern players at Belfast clubs compared to now. But from the day I arrived I couldn’t have been made more welcome by everyone at the Glens. I played in a great team with some absolutely outstanding players and it was great to pick up a few trophies in the two seasons. Obviously, my greatest memory was lifting the Irish Cup at the Oval after the replay win over Linfield. That was a great way to go out.
I was honoured to see my portrait in the new Captain’s Lounge and I had a great time in the Ron Manley Legends Suite before the match with Jimmy and some other old friends. I was also presented with a wonderful portrait of myself by Philip Stevenson. I got a great welcome which is exactly what I expected from everyone involved in this great club.”
Dermot signed for the club from Dundalk in close season 1981. In his two years at the club he made 74 appearances and won winners medals for the Irish Cup, Ulster Cup (twice) and Gold Cup. He also played in our famous 2-1 home win over CSKA Sofia in the European Cup in November 1981.
Dermot holds the Irish Cup after our 2-1 final win over Linfield in May 1983
