Although not a member of the Irish Volunteers, he joined his brothers Patrick (MSP34REF5908) and Michael (MSP34REF18175) in the Four Courts garrison at the outbreak of the Rising aged just 16.
He was sent to collect ammunition from the home of Joe McGuinness, Upper Gardiner Street, and then acted as an orderly to Fionán Lynch (his former school teacher). He took part in fighting at the barricades at North King Street and Church Street.
At the surrender, he guided Tom Smart (MSP34REF1556) to safety and both escaped capture. He had routine service in the Irish Volunteers from 1917 to December 1920 when he went to the United States.
Returning to Ireland in April 1921, he joined Shamrock Rovers in 1922 and won three league titles and a FAI Cup medal with them. He also had one cap for the Republic of Ireland, losing away to Italy in 1926. His career ended in 1929 due to a serious illness. He died in Dublin in 1966 aged 66.
His son, Fionán “Paddy” Fagan (1930–2014), played football for Manchester City and Derby County and represented the Republic of Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s.
Sources: Jimmy Wren, The GPO Garrison Easter Week 1916: A Biographical Dictionary (2015).
