Dave Roche (Gaelic footballer)

David Roche (May 1923 – 5 November 2020[1]) was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for club side Fermoy and at inter-county level with the Cork senior football team.

Dave Roche
Personal information
Irish name Daithí de Róiste
Sport Gaelic football
Position Goalkeeper
Born May 1923
Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
Died 5 November 2020 (aged 97)
Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Nickname Rookie
Occupation Plasterer
Club(s)
Years Club
 Fermoy
Club titles
Cork titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1944-1953
 Cork 2 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NFL 0

Career

Roche first came to Gaelic football prominence on the Fermoy team that faced CLonakilty in five consecutive county finals from 1942 to 1946. He ended up on the winning side on just one occasion in 1945. Roche's performances at club level saw him join the Cork senior football team for the opening round of the 1944 Munster Championship. He was replaced as first-choice goalkeeper by Moll O'Driscoll the following year, however, he remained close to the panel that claimed the All-Ireland title after a defeat of Cavan in the final.[2][3][4] Roche was also a regular with the Cork junior team and won a Munster Championship title in that grade in 1953.

Personal life and death

Roche was born in Fermoy, County Cork and spent his entire working life as a plasterer. He was also renowned as a singer and was one of the longest-serving members of the Fermoy Choral Society. Roche died on 5 November 2020.[5]

Honours
Fermoy
Cork

References
  1. Murphy, Éamonn (28 May 2013). "Happy 90th birthday to Dave 'Rookie' Roche". The Corkman. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  2. "Clon connections to Cork success in 1945". West Cork People. September 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  3. "A football life less ordinary". The Anglo-Celt. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  4. Keys, Colm (31 July 2013). "Bailieborough and the Cavan goalkeeping connection". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  5. Murphy, Éamonn (6 November 2020). "Fermoy GAA club salute Dave Roche, the Rookie who became an All-Star goalie". The Echo. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
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