Mick Meagan

Michael Kevin Meagan (born 29 May 1934) is a former professional footballer. He was the first manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team to be given total control over selecting players.[1]

Mick Meagan
Personal information
Full name Michael Kevin Meagan
Date of birth (1934-05-29) 29 May 1934
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1952–1964 Everton 165 (1)
1964–1968 Huddersfield Town 119 (1)
1968–1969 Halifax Town 23 (0)
1969–1973 Drogheda 78 (1)
1973–1974 Bray Wanderers ? (?)
1974–1976 Shamrock Rovers ? (1)
National team
1961–1969 Republic of Ireland 17 (0)
1957 Republic of Ireland B 1 (0)
Teams managed
1969–1971 Republic of Ireland
1969–1973 Drogheda
1974–1976 Shamrock Rovers
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early days

Meagan grew up in Dublin, Ireland. After appearing in a match against a Liverpool district team in Dublin, Meagan was signed by Everton in 1952.

Shamrock Rovers

As well as playing for the club Mick managed the Milltown outfit from 1974 to 1976 as player manager. History was made in the FAI Cup in his last season at Rovers when he played on the same team as his son Mark who later went on to win the 1976 League of Ireland Cup and the 1978 FAI Cup . Mark's cousin Tom played for Shelbourne in the 1980s.

International career

Meagans international debut came in May 1961 when he was chosen to play in the wing half position during a World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park. Although Ireland lost 4–1, Meagan impressed enough to be selected to play in the return game the following week at Dalymount Park.[2]

He won 17 caps for Ireland.

International management

In the 1968 European Championships qualifiers, Spain again proved an insurmountable obstacle for Ireland. However, the improvements convinced the FAI that it was time to appoint a team manager and, in 1969, Mick Meagan became the first manager of the Republic of Ireland national side.[3]

Up until then, a team of selectors picked the side. However, this new professionalism didn't have any effect, as Ireland failed to win any of their qualifiers for the 1970 World Cup. The 1970s Ireland finished bottom of their qualification group for the 1972 European Championships, ending Meagan's tenure as manager.

Meagan also managed the amateur Republic of Ireland national football team in the qualifiers for the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Honours

References
  1. www.fai.ie
  2. Gifted in Green, Adam Ward, 1999. PB) ISBN 0-600-59739-3 p.23
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20120704174451/http://www.fai.ie/fai/history/full-history/101692-fai-history-chapter-13--mick-meagan-is-first-manager.html
  4. "1963/64 Charity Shield". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2020.

Sources

The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)

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