Updated 12.45
TONY GREALISH, an Irish international footballer in the 1970s and 1980s, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 56.
Eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through his late father Packie, a native of Athenry, the London-born midfielder made his debut under Johnny Giles in 1976. He went on to make 45 international appearances in green and scored eight goals.
At club level, Grealish made a long career for himself spanning almost 20 seasons in the English lower leagues. Following spells at Leyton Orient and Luton Town, he famously moved to Brighton and Hove Albion and captained them in the 1983 FA Cup Final where they were beaten in a replay by Manchester United.
“The occasion stands as a highlight in the club’s history and will forever be remembered by the Albion faithful,” Brighton said as they paid tribute this morning.
Grealish also had stints at West Brom, Manchester City, Rotherham and Walsall before finishing his career at non-league Bromsgrove Rovers.
“Tony Grealish was one of my footballing heroes when I was a child,” FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said today, “and I always remembered him as a great competitor who always gave his all for Ireland.
“He will be missed by Irish football.”
FAI President Paddy McCaul said that Grealish “will be remembered as a great servant of Irish football who was part of the international set-up under John Giles and Eoin Hand that came so close to qualifying for major tournaments and helped change Ireland’s fortunes at that level of the game.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. The FAI will stage a tribute ahead of the home international against Georgia next month.
Grealish with Brighton manager Jimmy Melia after Brighton beat Sheffield Wednesday in the 1983 FA Cup semi-final (S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport)
Celebrating a goal against Switzerland in the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)
