FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Liam Tuohy has died at the age of 83.
Described by the Football Association of Ireland as ‘one of the greatest football people this country has produced’, the Dubliner first made his mark as a member of Shamrock Rovers’ superb teams of the 1950s and 1960s, with whom he won three four titles and an incredible eight FAI Cups.
In 1960, he decided to try his hand as a professional football and spent three years with Newcastle before returning to Rovers as a player-coach.
As boss, Tuohy oversaw a period of domestic dominance and European adventures as Rovers faced the likes of Valencia and Real Zaragoza.
In 1966, they narrowly lost to Bayern Munich after holding the German side to a 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park.
During his playing career, he racked up 8 caps for his country.
After a brief stint at Dundalk, Tuohy was appointed manager of the Republic of Ireland side in 1971, the highlight being a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win over France.
Later, Tuohy took control of the Irish underage setup and excelled, qualifying the Under-19 team for the 1982 European Championships. The following year, he did the same with the Under-18s.
Memorably in 1984, Tuohy’s side – which included Denis Irwin – beat Scotland and Portugal in the group stages, reached the semi-finals and eventually finished fourth overall.
Tuohy served as a mentor to Brian Kerr and the late Noel O’Reilly, who were his assistants at the time.
He guided a team to the 1985 World Youth Championships – the first time an Irish team qualified for a a World Cup.
In his later years, Tuohy served as director of football with renowned football nursery Home Farm and had a key role in the development of a host of players who’d go on to carve out professional careers.
FAI chief executive John Delaney paid tribute this afternoon.
“Liam Tuohy was a wonderful football man with a quick wit and tremendous knowledge of the game. His loss is such sad news for Irish football”, he said.
We will be honouring Liam’s memory at the forthcoming international against Oman. I am pleased that we had an alcove dedicated to him at the FAI headquarters. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
President Michael D.Higgins also extended his condolences.
“It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Liam Tuohy.
Supporters of football across Ireland will feel a great sense a loss at his passing. As a player for Shamrock Rovers and Newcastle United and as a manager for the Hoops and the Republic of Ireland, he left a lasting imprint on the world of football.
Sabina and I would like to extend our sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.”
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