Football clubs have paid tribute to sporting legend Mick Meagan after his death was reported this weekend.
The Dubliner passed away on Sunday after battling a long illness. Mick was the first sportsman to captain the Republic of Ireland team and led a successful career as both player and manager.
He was appointed Ireland manager in 1969, making him the first leader to be given total control over selecting players. He also carried stints playing for Everton, Drogheda United, Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers.
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FAI President Gerry McAnaney said in a tribute: “We have lost a truly great Irish football man with Mick’s passing. He contributed so much to Everton, Huddersfield Town and Halifax Town in England and across the League of Ireland during his time as a player and a manager.”
Mick, who was capped 17 times as a player for Ireland, began his professional football career in 1952 after he was signed for Everton. He played 188 games in total for the Liverpool-based team.
Everton also released a tribute in his memory, accrediting his Irish roots and his stint as Ireland manager. They mentioned how he was initially signed to their club following his performance in a Dublin match against a Liverpool district team.
Shamrock Rovers also praised the late player for his management of their team, saying that Mick took on the role of player/manager for their club under challenging circumstances. They wrote: “Previously Mick had played for Everton, Huddersfield and Drogheda United and had also played for and managed the Republic of Ireland. During his time at Milltown he had to operate on a very small budget which made it impossible for him, his predecessors and his successor Sean Thomas to make any progress in restoring the club to former glories.”
However, Mick made history during his tenure with Shamrock Rovers when he played on the same team as his son Mark in 1976. This family achievement was a first for the FAI Cup.
He celebrated a career high after winning The First Division in 1962/1963 in Goodison Park, as part of the Everton team.
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