FORMER TEAM-MATES of Liam Miller from his time with Manchester United and Celtic will be joined by many of the players he shared an Ireland dressing room with for a special tribute match at Cork’s Turner’s Cross.
Miller sadly passed away at the age of 36 in February following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, and now those who played alongside him will play in his memory on Tuesday 25 September.
The benefit match will see a Man United legends side face an Ireland-Celtic selection in Miller’s native Cork, and the game will be succeeded by a black tie gala dinner in Cork City Hall with all the proceeds going to help Miller’s young family rebuild their lives.
Among the players confirmed to honour the 21-time capped Ireland international are United legends Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Denis Irwin, Jaap Stam, Louis Saha, Nicky Butt and Rio Ferdinand, while Roy Keane will lead the side.
The Ireland-Celtic combined selection will be managed by current Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and will see the likes of Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Stephen Carr, Kevin Doyle, Keith Andrews, Richard Dunne, Kenny Cunningham, Kevin Kilbane and Andy Reid pull on their boots again.
The tribute match was the brainchild of a number of people who knew and worked with Miller, including Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane, Man United chief executive Ed Woodward and family neighbour Michael O’Flynn.
O’Flynn, who is chair of the committee, said: “We are energised and greatly encouraged by the support from Manchester United, Celtic, John Delaney and the FAI and a host of players who have rowed in so readily behind this effort.
“The game at Turner’s Cross will attract fans across the country, who will descend on Cork to see many of the game’s greats. Liam was a friend and neighbour of mine. His whole family, including Clare and their three children, suffered a devastating loss when he passed away and our hope is that the events in September will honour his memory and help his loved ones move forward with their lives.
“It is rare you get to see so many outstanding football players on the one pitch, and I hope it will be a great day for all involved.
“The support we have received from John Delaney and the FAI, Sir Alex Ferguson, John O’Shea, John Caulfield and Cork City FC and many other committee members has been extraordinary and a fitting reflection of the esteem in which Liam Miller was held from Ovens to Old Trafford.”
Roy Keane, who played alongside Miller for Man United and Ireland, commented: ”I’m delighted to be part of this tribute game for Liam, someone I played alongside for club and country, and also managed for a period of time.
“Liam sadly passed away last February, but he remains a team-mate of ours and this tribute is an opportunity to celebrate his career on the pitch but also to remember the man he was away from football.
“It is fitting the game will be staged in Liam’s home town of Cork, a great sporting county, and I am very confident the public will come out to show their support to Liam’s family on September 25th.”
Miller enjoyed an impressive 16-year career as a professional, first rising to prominence under O’Neill at Celtic, before joining Man United as a 24-year-old in 2004.
He played 22 times for United during two seasons at Old Trafford before going onto play for Leeds, Sunderland, QPR and Hibernian.
Miller moved to Australia in 2011 where he had spells with Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City. He returned to play for Cork City in 2015 before moving to North America, where he played for Wilmington Hammerheads until last November.
His untimely passing was met with an outpouring of grief from the football world, and was a reflection of the impact he made as a player and person at the various clubs he represented throughout his career.
Miller is survived by his wife Clare and three young children Kory, Leo and Belle.
Tickets for the tribute match at Turner’s Cross on 25 September will go on sale via Ticketmaster shortly. More information can be found here.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
