When Paul McGrath retired in 1997, there was more a pat on the back that a trending hash-tag and glowing press releases from the president.
The Black Pearl of Inchicore was one of Ireland’s greatest ever players but his international retirement was low-key.
Mick McCarthy was the new man in after the Jack Charlton era but McGrath knew it was time to step aside. He knew he had done all he could for his country.
McGrath stopped being an Irish player but he never stopped being an Irish fan. And so it was, last night, when he filed into the Aviva Stadium like the 31,547 other souls and cheered the Boys in Green on. To pay tribute to Robbie Keane in his final game.
10 minutes from time, with Ireland leading 4-0 and with Keane now benched but happy, after scoring his 68th international goal, the crowd spotted McGrath on the big screen and paid a very special tribute of their own.
‘Ooo Aaah Paul McGrath, Ooo Aaah Paul McGrath’
A huge cheer at the Aviva for another Irish legend, @Paulmcgrath5! #ThanksRobbie https://t.co/1yOmblJ2bC
— eir Sport (@eirSport) August 31, 2016
Two men; two Dubliners; two legends.
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