FORMER REPUBLIC OF Ireland boss Eoin Hand has paid tribute to Joe O’Mahony, Limerick’s league and cup-winning captain who died this week aged 65.

Hand joined chairman Pat O’Sullivan yesterday to present members of the O’Mahony family with the club’s number four jersey, which has been retired in the defender’s memory.

“He read the game brilliantly,” Hand said, comparing his former captain to English legend Bobby Moore.

I can’t remember Joe ever having a bad game. He was so consistent and so dedicated and he just loved playing for Limerick.

Every game – whether we lost it or whatever happened – Joe was the most consistent. You could never say ‘Joe, you were off form today’. It just never happened.

“He was just so consistently brilliant. I’m not overstating anything. He was a gem.”

O’Mahony enjoyed a 20-year career with Limerick, winning the league, two FAI Cups and the League Cup as well as famously captaining the side in their 1980 European Cup clash against Real Madrid.

He died on Tuesday following a brief illness.

Forgotten man Liam Lawrence hoping to earn Barnsley contract