Thanks for keeping me out of trouble with Jack, good time Charlie Paul Mcgrath wishes legendary Irish kitman happy 100th birthday
PAUL Mcgrath hailed a “great friend who kept me out of trouble with Jack” as legendary Ireland kitman Charlie O’leary turned 100 yesterday.
The Black Pearl was one of several wishing O’leary well as the man who served 14 years under Jack Charlton and Mick Mccarthy joined the century club.
Mcgrath, 64, wrote: “Happy 100th birthday to a great friend over the years who looked away a few times and kept me out of trouble with Jack.
“Love you Charlie.”
Mcgrath remains in contact with O’leary and visited his close friend shortly before Christmas.
Sharing a picture on social media at the time, the legendary defender wrote: “Still going strong at 99. A trip down memory lane with Charlie O’leary & family. Today has warmed my heart. Looking forward to the big birthday in February.”
The FAI also sent Charlie a message yesterday, writing: “Happy 100th Birthday!
“Today we celebrate a very special milestone, as former Ireland Men’s Senior Team kitman Charlie O’leary turns 100!
“Sending our best wishes to Charlie on his Centenary Birthday.”
Many fans also posted messages online, with one saying: “Happy Birthday to one of football’s unsung heroes, legendary @Faireland kitman Charlie O’leary who turns 100 years young today. Happy Birthday Charlie.” Another commented: “The man, the myth, the legend that is Charlie O’leary has hit the hundred. Happy Birthday Charlie.”
O’leary was hired as kitman by Jack Charlton in 1986 and stayed on as Ireland qualified for major tournaments in the late 80s and early 90s, beating England in 1988, Romania in 1990 and Italy in 1994.
The former referee has spoken of how he and physio Mick Byrne regularly looked after players, helping sneak them in after late nights out and getting them up again in the morning for training.
He said at the weekend: “I suppose I ended up being more of a coordinator, I never looked on myself just as a kitman.”
O’leary told the Irish Times that his standout memory is of the victory over England in 1988, declaring: “I suppose that game will always stick out for me.
“Because I watched grown men cry that day, tears streaming down their face. That win over England meant so much to so many people.”
On presenting the pair with a special merit award in 2020, Niall Quinn said of the pair: “If Jack Charlton was the father figure for the Ireland squad from 1986 to 1995 then Charlie O’leary and Mick Byrne were the two Irish mammies who looked out for and looked
after us all.”
Happy birthday to one of football’s unsung heroes IRELAND FAN YESTERDAY