Recognition for ex-Republic players

FORMER Republic of Ireland stars Paul McGrath and Anne O’Brien have been inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame.

As part of the 2019 “Three” FAI International Awards, McGrath and family members connected to the late O’Brien were invited to the FAI’s headquarters in Abbotstown to receive the awards.

It is the second successive year there has been both a male and female recipient of the award, which dates back to 1997. A hugely popular figure amongst Ireland supporters, McGrath amassed 83 caps during an illustrious career which included Euro ’88 and the World Cup in 1990 and ’94.

FAI Interim Deputy CEO Niall Quinn, who played alongside McGrath with Ireland, said: “I have to admit I was a little bit star-struck when I met Paul at Abbotstown to present him with Hall of Fame award – and I played with him.

“That just tells you the stature of the man. The word legend can be used very freely these days but Paul is just that, a legend of world football and not just an Irish hero. He was there for the great days of the Jack Charlton era and it was a pleasure to play with him and be around him in those Ireland squads.

“Paul is a very humble man and to meet him again was such a pleasure. He is one of the greatest players we have ever seen and his arrival into the FAI’s Hall of Fame is so well deserved.” Dublin-born O’Brien passed away in 2016 but left behind a legacy that saw her become an early trailblazer for women’s football in Ireland as she enjoyed tremendous success in both France and Italy.

A former Ireland Women’s Senior Team international, O’Brien was a technically-gifted midfielder who became known as one of the best foreign players in the Italian League, where she won six League titles and two Women’s Cups.

Paul O’Brien, Anne’s brother who accepted the award on her behalf, said: “This is a fantastic honour to recognise what Anne did. She would have been delighted with this and our family are very appreciative for it.”

DELIGHT Niall Quinn