Former Ireland international Frank O'Farrell, who managed Manchester United in the post-Matt Busby era, passed away yesterday at the age of 94.
Cork-born O'Farrell played for Cork United before spending eight years at West Ham, where he made 213 appearances, having initially joined on a six-month trial in 1948.
He was then five years with Preston North-End before becoming player-manager with non-League Weymouth.
O'Farrell also managed Torquay United, taking over in 1965 and, while with Leicester City, led them to the 1969 FA Cup final.
The Foxes lost 1-0 to Manchester City, and were relegated that season, though he guided the club back to the First Division in 1971.
He was appointed to the Manchester United hot-seat that summer in place of Busby, who had briefly returned after Will McGuinness' time in charge lasted only four months.
And his reign got off to a promising start, with United topping the table after 14 games.
But while eventually guiding United to eighth place in Division 1 by the end of the 1971-72 season, O'Farrell was unhappy with Busby's continued input into team affairs as a club director.
Having persuaded George Best to go back on his decision to retire at 26, O'Farrell was sacked the following December in the wake of a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace as the club struggled to maintain their top flight status.
United won 30 of his 81 games at the helm.
O'Farrell took the Red Devils to court for compensation as he was 18 months into a five-year deal and a settlement was made before the trial began.
O'Farrell went on to briefly manage Cardiff and also Iran, leading them to Asian Games success in 1974.
Two more stints with Torquay followed, with a spell with UAE club Al-Shaab sandwiched in between, before O'Farrell stepped away from the professional game 39 years ago, although he did later scout for Everton and Bolton Wanderers.
As a player, he only made nine appearances for his country, between 1952 and 1959, scoring two goals - including one in Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat to Spain in 1954.
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