FORMER CORK CITY footballer Paul Bannon died yesterday aged 59, it has been confirmed.
The Dubliner joined Nottingham Forest in 1975 but made a name for himself at Carlisle United before going on to play in the Netherlands with NAC Breda (Holland) and enjoying a spell in Greece with PAOK and Larissa.
Initially a centre forward who later played centre-half, Bannon returned to Ireland to join Cork in 1989. There he scored the winning against Shelbourne in the play-off for the 1993 league title.
He also lined out for the Leesiders in Europe against Toperdo Moscow and Bayern Munich during a four-year spell.
The son of All-Ireland winning Tipperary hurler Seamus Bannon, Paul finished his playing career with Cobh Ramblers.
After hanging up his boots, he spent 17 years working for the FAI on their FAS courses and Emerging Talent Programme.
“It was with great sadness that I heard of Paul’s death,” said FAI chief executive John Delaney. “He was a great football man and was an outstanding player.
“His work for the FAI was greatly appreciated. He made a great contribution to the development of many players over the years and will always be remembered for doing so much for so many footballers through the years.”
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