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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

Tributes pour in for 'all round sportsman' and former Ireland rugby player Paul McNaughton

Tributes have poured in following the death of former Ireland rugby player Paul McNaughton.

The 69-year-old is remembered as an all round sportsman, having played inter-county Gaelic football for Wicklow as well as lining out in the League of Ireland.

Leinster Rugby issued a statement confirming the sad news saying: "It is with huge sadness that Leinster Rugby expresses its condolences to the family and friends of the late, Paul McNaughton.

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"He was the very definition of a 'sports man'."

The IRFU also expressed its condolences to his family and friends.

It said: "Everyone in Irish Rugby is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Ireland international and Team Manager, Paul McNaughton.

"Thinking of his family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace."

Mr McNaughton, a Bray native, earned 15 international caps as a centre between 1978 and 1981, having moved his way up the ranks at his school, Rockwell College, before playing rugby for Dublin University.

His home rugby club was Greystones RFC.

Before that, he'd played in two FAI Cup finals with Shelbourne and played for Bray Wanderers for a time.

The Wicklow club tweeted: "The club are saddened by the news former player Paul McNaughton has passed away.

"He famously scored both goals in the 1976 Metropolitan Cup final win over Parkvilla (Navan) at Dalymount Park.

"He also played for Shels; Ireland rugby and Wicklow GAA. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

While Éire Óg Greystones GAA Club said: "Paul McNaughton RIP

"It's with great sadness that we've learnt of the death of Paul McNaughton.

"Paul had a remarkable sporting career. He played rugby for Greystones and Wanderers winning 15 caps for Ireland and played soccer in the League of Ireland for Shelbourne and Bray Wanderers.

"He also played Gaelic football for both Bray Emmets and our club while also representing the Wicklow Senior football team. Paul continued his support of our club over the years.

"Our sympathies to his wife Jean, his three sons and all at Greystones RFC where he was a past president.

“Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.”

His career continued after he hung up his boots and Declan Kidney named him as Ireland team manager in 2008, a post which he held until 2011.

Mr McNaughton was later inducted into the Leinster Rugby Hall of Fame in 2018.

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