Mick Meagan
Encyclopedia
Michael Kevin "Mick" 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.
. After appearing in a match against a Liverpool
district team in Dublin, Meagan was signed by Everton
in 1952.
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.
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
.
He won 17 caps for Ireland.
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.
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.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer. He was the first manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
to be given total control over selecting players.
Early days
Meagan grew up in Dublin, IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. After appearing in a match against a Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
district team in Dublin, Meagan was signed by Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in 1952.
Shamrock Rovers
As well as playing for the club Mick managed the MilltownGlenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
outfit from 1974 to 1976 as player manager. History was made in the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
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 ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
. Although Ireland lost 4–1, Meagan impressed enough to be selected to play in the return game the following week at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
.
He won 17 caps for Ireland.
International management
In the 1968 European Championships qualifiers, SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
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.
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.