Ireland soccer hero in Offaly for fundraiser

IN what promises to be a night to remember, Tullamore Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club (RISSC) has lined up Ireland football legend Mick McCarthy for a charity event in Tullamore.

Honoured with the nickname 'Captain Fantastic' because of his heroics when he led Ireland to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Italy in 1990 McCarthy will meet fans in the beer garden of the Goalpost bar, William Street, Tullamore this Saturday, September 20 (doors open 8pm).

All proceeds from ticket sales (tickets €20) and a raffle will go to Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT). There will also be music on the night by Celtic Wish.

ACT is a community counselling centre based in Tullamore, Co Offaly which has pioneered a sustainable model of community-based counselling and psychotherapy services that are accessible to all.

Tickets can be bought from the Goalpost Bar, DS Hardware, or any Tullamore RISSC committee member – John Joyce, Chloe McGlinchey, Mick Kenaney, Seamus McEvoy, Ray Finlay, Dathi Bryant, Bob Dooner and Stephen McEvoy.

Mick McCarthy, born on February 7, 1959 in Barnsley, England, proudly embraced his Irish roots through his father, who hailed from Co Waterford.

McCarthy began his professional club career with Barnsley in 1977 before moving to Manchester City in 1983. A commanding central defender, he soon earned a reputation for his tough tackling and leadership.

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In 1984, McCarthy was first capped for Ireland by the then manager Eoin Hand. At club level, he moved to Celtic in 1987, where he won league and cup medals.

He played in all three games for Ireland under manager Jack Charlton at Euro 88 in Germany and was later named as captain. In all, he won 57 Ireland caps.

After a spell with Lyon he moved to Millwall, a club he also managed, before succeeding Charlton at the helm of Ireland in 1996.

He guided Ireland to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea and despite the infamous row which saw Roy Keane leave the squad before a ball was kicked, the Boys in Green reached the last 16 and only exited the tournament on penalties.

Between 2003 and 2018 McCarthy managed Sunderland and Wolves to promotion to the Premier League from the Championship. He was also team boss at Ipswich.

Then came his return as Ireland supremo when he took over from Martin O'Neill.

The Tullamore RISSC has previously hosted another former Ireland manager and English league top-flight star player Steve Staunton for a charity night in aid of ACT. Kevin Kilbane, John O'Shea and Stephen Hunt are among other former Ireland players who have appeared at Tullamore RISSC events.