On This Day in the LOI – 15th May 15th May 1956: Pat Byrne was born on this day in Dublin. Byrne started his career at Bohemians and was immediately successful, helping the Gypsies to a FAI Cup and two league titles before his departure in 1978. He
On This Day in the LOI – 15th May
15th May 1956: Pat Byrne was born on this day in Dublin. Byrne started his career at Bohemians and was immediately successful, helping the Gypsies to a FAI Cup and two league titles before his departure in 1978. He played for Philadelphia Fury in the North American Soccer League with the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Johnny Giles, Alan Ball and Carlos Alberto before signing for Leicester City in 1979. He moved to Hearts in 1981 before returning to the league with Shamrock Rovers in 1983. He went on to win four league titles back-to-back with Rovers and also won three FAI Cups with the club. He also played for Shelbourne and was player-manager when they won the league in 1991/92, Cobh Ramblers and St. James' Gate before retiring in 1994. He also managed Kilkenny City to promotion in the 1999/00 season. Byrne made eight appearances for the Republic of Ireland between 1984 and1986 making his international debut (along with Mick McCarthy and Liam Buckley against Poland at Dalymount Park in May1984. He won the PFA Player of the Year Award for 1983/84 and the SWAI Personality of the Year Award for the following season. Overall, he made 324 league appearances in the League of Ireland.
15th May 1994: Sligo Rovers won the FAI Cup for the second time in their history when they defeated Derry City by 1-0 in the Final which was played at Lansdowne Road. Gerry Carr scored the winning goal in 72nd minute of the match. The Cup victory crowned a memorable season for Willie McStay’s team as they also won the First Division League championship and Shield titles as well as securing portion back to the Premier Division.
15th May 1999: Bray Wanderers won the FAI Cup for the second and most recent time in their history when they defeated Finn Harps by 2-1 in a second replay of the Final. All three matches were played at Tolka Park and it was only the second time (1950 Transport v Cork Athletic) that the Cup Final took three matches to decide the winning team. Jonathan Speak (11) put Harps ahead but two goals from Jason Byrne (38, 73) meant that the Wanderers and their manager, Pat Devlin had again lifted the Blue Riband of Irish football nine years after their first success in the competition.
On This Day in Irish Football - 15th May
15th May 1968: The Republic of Ireland drew 2-2 with Poland in an international friendly match played at Dalymount Park in front of 30,000 spectators. The Poles established a two goal lead through a penalty from Wlodzimierz Lubanski (5) and Andrzej Jarosik (24). Ireland reduced the arrears through John Dempsey (52) and substitute Alfie Hale headed home a dramatic last minute equaliser to preserve Ireland’s four match unbeaten home record against the Poles. Tommy Carroll made his international debut in this match.
15th May 1976: Mark Kennedy born on this day in Dublin. The former left-back made 34 appearances for his country following his debut in a Euro 96 qualifier against Austria in Vienna. He also scored four goals for Ireland, including a match-winning goal against Yugoslavia in UEFA 2000 qualification in September 1999. Kennedy had a fantastic career after starting at Millwall where he grabbed the attentions of Liverpool. He also went on to play for Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town. He was appointed as manager of Macclesfield Town in January of this year.
