Happy birthday, Charlie: Ireland's legendary kitman turns 88

He was in Stuttgart in ’88, met the Pope at Italia ’90, and was the smallest man in Giants Stadium. Here are some great snaps from Charlie O’Leary’s time with the Irish football team.

CHARLIE O’LEARY HAS been a part of more footballing history than most of us will ever see.

Name a famous result — Stuttgart, Genoa, Giants Stadium — and you can be sure that the Republic of Ireland’s legendary kitman was there, making sure that the jerseys were neatly laid out and that the water was boiled for the half-time cup of tea.

Along with physio Mick Byrne, O’Leary became one of the most recognisable faces in Jack Charlton’s backroom team, and he continued the role under Mick McCarthy until his retirement in 2000 at the age of 76.

Today, as Charlie celebrates his 88th birthday, we look back at some of the best photos from his years with the Boys in Green.

Happy birthday, Charlie: Ireland's legendary kitman turns 88

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