Tributes pour in for Irish international Ray Treacy
FORMER Republic of Ireland international Ray Treacy passed away on Friday night after a short illness.
The 68-year-old Dubliner played for Ireland 42 times between 1966 and 1980 before going into management in the League of Ireland. He coached Home Farm, Drogheda United and won the league title with Shamrock Rovers in 1994.
As a player, Treacy was known for his work ethic and aerial threat, despite standing just 5 feet 9 inches tall.
Tributes began pouring in on social media yesterday after the news broke. Former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane tweeted: ‘So sad to hear Ray Treacy has passed away. A great man and much loved by so many.’
And former Ireland teammate Dave Langan said: ‘RIP Ray Treacy one of life’s good guys. A gentleman. I’m gutted hearing the news.’
Former club West Bromwich Albion released a statement saying: ‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Rest easy, Ray.’
The striker started his career with Home Farm in Dublin before moving to England to play for West Brom in 1964 at the age of 18. He struggled to get game time at the West Midlands club but returned to play under manager John Giles in 1976. In 1967 he moved to Charlton where people began to take note of his talents as he scored 44 goals in 149 appearances.
He finished his career in Ireland after following Giles back home to be a part of his ambitious project with Shamrock Rovers.
Treacy won an FAI Cup winners medal in 1978 after scoring the winning penalty for the hoops against Sligo Rovers. He finished his playing career four years later at Drogheda United.
He started his own travel agency in 1978, and retired in 2009.