Noel Cantwell dies aged 72

ObituaryFormer Republic of Ireland skipper Noel Cantwell has died in England at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer. The former Manchester United full-back, who captained the club to victory in the 1963 FA Cup final, played 36 times for his country and went on to have a long career in coaching both in England and America.

Born in Cork, he started his career with Western Rovers and Cork Athletic before moving to West Ham as a teenager in 1952.

He made more than 200 appearances for the London club and helped it win promotion to the old first division in 1958 before Matt Busby signed him for United late in 1960.

He went on to spend more than six years at Old Trafford and he was club captain when they won the league in 1967 although he played only a small part in the successful campaign.

Cantwell's international career began in October 1953 when he made his debut against Luxembourg.

He captained the Republic 22 times and scored 14 goals by the time he made his last appearance, against Turkey in February 1967.

Cantwell also played five times for Ireland's cricket team between 1956 and 1959. In that time he played against Scotland, the West Indies, New Zealand (twice) and Lancashire. A left-hander, he had a highest score of 40 and averaged almost 20 with the bat.

After retiring from playing football he got his first management job at Coventry City where he was in charge for four and half years. He went on to coach in America and was chairman of the PFA there for a spell.

He had two spells in charge of Peterborough United, the second of which ended in 1988 and he was living in the town at the time of his death.

FAI chief executive John Delaney yesterday expressed sadness at the news of Cantwell's passing and paid tribute to a major Irish sporting figure.

"Noel Cantwell was one of the great characters, not only of football but of Irish sport in general" he said. "He was a great inspiration to those who played alongside him whether for club or country."