Eddie Powell

29.12.39 - 31.07.26 Died peacefully in Bantry Hospital on 31st July 2026. Late of Kenmare, Co. Kerry. Husband of Laura, father of Corey and Steven, brother of Linda and the late Brian. A lalented maverick who was as fearless in life as he was on the rugby field. Loved by those who knew him at home and abroad. His passing leaves a huge gap in the lives of those left behind.

Eddie was, as the cliche goes," one of a kind" We grew up in Ballyholme and our back gardens were separated by a small lane. My earliest memories were of apple fights between our respective gardens. His throwing was better than mine!

At BGS he was often the class joker, almost out of control, but never completely. He left school one year before me and soon established himself on the towns rugby club first 15. He played in the backs at school but became a wonderful flanker at the club. His tackling was absolutely fearless and almost mad. played in the back row with him for two seasons, wonderful times.Maurice Watson was the other flanker. Opposition out- halves used to talk about the crazy Bangor guy with the hair covering his forehead- a feature he never lost. After the game he was first into the Castle Arms and sitting with the visitors. It wasn't long before he was in the Junior Ulster team. As so often happens when jobs and marriages happen we lost touch. A mutual friend Billy Trimble (RIP) was in touch one day when I was living in Edinburgh to tell me Eddie was living in London on a barge and playing for a local club there with the same intensity as ever. Through Eddie's sister Linda,we persuaded him to join us at a Grammarian's dinner in London. He arrived slightly dishevelled as ever but full of anecdotes stories and fun.

We went our ways and many years later as my wife and I were wintering in Goa ,Billy sent a fax remember them?) to say Eddie was in Goa in a small resort called Agonda. This was where we were about to go for a week coincidence or what?). On arrival there we asked if anyone knew an Eddie. "Oh yes the mad Irish guy on the motor bike," was the early reply. We met up and he was just the same guy but with a wonderful partner called Laura. We met up often there for about 5 years in Jan. His health deteriorated, details not needed, but with Laura's love and dedication he managed. We stopped going about about,6 years ago and via email found out he was now living in Ireland about a one hour drive from where our daughter lives. We promised to meet up but to my great regret we didn't.

To sum Eddie up- a great man - a one-off. They don't make them like that any more.

-Derek Gorman