FAI To Honour Former Players

To acknowledge the players who represented their country at senior level and those who managed the team, a gala banquet will be held on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 in the Burlington Hotel, to which all living players and managers will be invited. As part of the celebration, the players and managers will be invited as special guests of the Association to attend the historic first match in Croke Park the following day against Wales.

A committee has been formed to co-ordinate the events and includes ex players John Giles, Terry Conroy, Liam Tuohy, Mick Lawlor, Ray Treacy, Ray Houghton, Liam Brady and Kenny Cunningham together with journalists Jimmy Magee and Peter Byrne and the FAI President David Blood and Chief Executive Officer John Delaney.

415 players have represented Ireland in 419 Senior International Matches since the FAI was formed in 1921 and it is estimated that over 280 are still alive today.

Commenting on the initiative, FAI Chief Executive Officer said the players gave substantially to the country and the events being planned were a simple gesture of thanks from the Association for their dedication and commitment. “The first match against Wales will be a very historic and special occasion for everyone involved in football and we felt it was an opportune occasion for us in the Association, on behalf of the Irish people to say thanks to all those who wore the green jersey”, he said. “The honour of representing your country remains a very special one and whether you've earned one cap or a hundred, we feel the occasion of the first game in Croke Park is a very appropriate one to acknowledge the contribution of our footballing heroes”, he added.

“I'm grateful to all the committee members for lending their support to the event which we hope will be a unique celebration of those who established Irish International football”, Delaney added.

Committee member and former international player and manager John Giles thanked the FAI for organising this special event and for their valued support to all players and managers. “All players are aware of the history of football in Ireland and what it means to the people and I am delighted that the players' contribution is being recognised in such a unique way”, Giles said. “I am really excited to be involved in this event and be part of the most historical occasion of the first soccer game in Croke Park against Wales the same weekend”, he added.

Former Irish International player and manager Liam Tuohy, said he was delighted to be involved with the project. “I think it's a great time to mark the contribution of our players and managers”, he said. “The sense of occasion that the first match in Croke Park will generate is bound to be unique and the players and managers will be delighted to be a very special element of what promises to be an great occasion”, he said.