Mick was ‘a truly great Irish football man’

FORMER Shamrock Rovers player and former Ireland manager Mick Meagan was a ‘a truly great Irish football man”.

Tributes were paid this week by his old club Rovers and the FAI following the sad passing of Mick who was also a former manager of Shamrock Rovers.

Capped 17 times as a player, Mick was the first ever Ireland manager from 1969 to 1971 when the selection committee process for the Irish team was ended.

As well as winning the English League title with Everton, Mick played with Drogheda, Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland and went on to manage both Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers.

“We have lost a truly great Irish football man with Mick’s passing,” said FAI President Gerry McAnaney.

“Mick was a history maker with our international team, 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.

“Our thoughts are with all the Meagan family and their many friends at this difficult time. At dheis De go raibh a hanam.”

Shamrock Rovers also paid tribute saying: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of our former player and manager Mick Meagan.

“Mick was coming to the end of his playing days when, during the summer of 1974, he took on the role of player/manager at Milltown succeeding the management team of Shay Noonan, Dickie Giles and Dougie Wood.

“He was assisted by Theo Dunne and remained in the job until April 1976.”