Gibson looks Sunderland bound
The touted departure of Republic of Ireland international, Darron Gibson, from Manchester United this week follows a well-trodden path which has seen some of the nation’s greatest footballers find life after Old Trafford – albeit others have not failed so well. But like all sports there are mixed tales, as another stream of Irish players have gathered much silverware at the club, either domestic, or European, with Shay Brennan, Tony Dunne, Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, John O'Shea all of holding cherished European Cup medals.
Clearly that secret to success at United is hidden with the Holy Grail as comparing the paths of these players it is hard to identify any real pattern in a scientific sense. Other than a touch of luck, hop of a ball - and general rub of the green at the right time. For Gibson the promise of matching the path of George Best, following his arrival at the club as a 17 year old from Derry in 2004, and making his debut within the year at 18, might just remain the highlight. But for whatever reason the progress has failed to materialise to the extent that he has been unable to even convince the Old Trafford fans and the time for a move now seems right.
Over the years though players from Northern Ireland were a strong force at Old Trafford, especially back in the days of Matt Busby and Tommy Docherty, which saw Jimmy Nicholl, David McCreery and Sammy Mclroy dominate the team in the mid 1970’s. In fact, McIlroy was the last player ever to be signed by Busty and was seen as the natural replacement for Best at the time, such was his talent. The trio were later followed by Norman Whiteside and Mal Donaghy, all adding to the outstanding reputation of another stalwart at Old Trafford, Harry Gregg, In his teem Whiteside broke new ground and had the distinction of becoming United's youngest player since Duncan Edwards when he made his debut in 1981.
The Republic of Ireland players also contributed their part at United with Docherty finding Bohemians a regular source of players, with Gerry Daly, Mick Martin and Ashley Grimes all additions to the Old Trafford playing squad in his time. In Daly United found a player who became a vital part of the midfield in the fight for promotion, and in 1976 final. Although United lost that day the team included the likes of Brian Greenhoff, Sammy McIlroy, Lou Macari, Stuart Pearson, Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell.
Daly only lasted four seasons, moving to Derby County in 1977, where he watched those same former teammates beat Liverpool in the FA Cup final, on television. After three years at the Baseball Ground Daly became a journeyman ending his playing days at Telford United - following spells at Coventry, New England Teamen, Shrewsbury, Leicester, Birmingham and Stoke.
For Mick Martin his move from United came in 1975 when John Giles took him to Wes Bromwich Albion, where he played for three seasons, before finding his best years at Newcastle United, where he still lives today. Ashley Grimes spent six seasons at Old Trafford, moving in 1983 to Coventry City after making only 90 appearances. He too then added a number of clubs to his CV, including two seasons at Osasuna, before finishing up at Stoke City. Unlike John Giles and Eamon Dunphy the Bohemians three-some went over after a few seasons in the League of Ireland, and were all five years older than the schoolboys that Matt Busby signed.
In the case of Giles there was early success as he made his first-team debut in 1959 in a side devastated by the Munich air disaster the previous year, where eight of the team had died. For Giles though, playing alongside Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and company seem to come easy and the team won the 1963 FA Cup. However at the start of the new season the Dubliner decided to leave when he lost his regular place making a moving to Leeds United, who were then in the second division.
For Giles the move proved there was life after leaving United as the team became legendary under Don Revie, establishing themselves as a footballing force only surpassed by Sir Alex Ferguson in rent years. During his time at Leeds Giles won another FA Cup in 1972, 2 Fairs Cup's, 1968 and 1971, and a League Cup in 1968. There were also two First Division titles along with a losing final in the European Cup in Paris, against the dominant team of the time, Bayern Munich. All in all not a bad haul he would argue.
For Dunphy a modicum of success came after his time at United, given his failure to get beyond the Youth team, where he played alongside George Best, and so moved to for York City in 1965, before making the breakthrough when he arrived at Cold Blow Lane with Millwall. It was under manager Barry Fenton that Dunphy became a regular until 1974 and secured promotion to Division One during that time. After a few seasons of journeying Dunphy joined Shamrock Rovers in 1977 with Giles, where they both won the FAI Cup the following season.
In the case of Kevin Moran he got the call from United at the age of 22 and was already a winner of two All-Ireland medals with Dublin in 1976 and 1977. Although the switch to football was viewed by many as unusual, Moran had been combining GAA and football for years, lining out for Bohemians and Pegasus while still playing for Dublin. It was clear from the moment he arrived in 1978 that manager Dave Sexton had a plan for him and the reward came in April 1979 with his first team debut. His United career would go on to include FA Cup medals in 1983 and 1985.
By the time he left Old Trafford Moran were 32 and had enjoyed a decade at the club with 230 appearances.
The story has some similarities to John O'Shea, who joined Old Trafford at 17 years of age and has remained there for thirteen seasons. Now 30, he sees his time at the club coming to an end after was included on the bid made by Sunderland, along with Gibson and Wes Brown. The major difference though is that should he leave he will do so with a truck load of silverware, 5 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup, 3 Football league Cups, 4 Community Shields, 1 Champions League and a FIFA Club World Cup. However he has rivals in the trophy department from two Cork players who arrived at Manchester United much older, and from other clubs.
Denis Irwin came from Oldham, after beginning his career with Second Division Leeds United in 1983, after which he moved to Oldham Athletic on a free transfer in 1986. Four years later after helping Oldham reach the FA Cup semi-finals and the final of the Football League Cup , it earned him a transfer to United for a fee of £625,000. In contrast Roy Keane arrived with not only a reputation on the field to maintain - after three years at Nottingham Forest with Brian Clough - but also weighed down with a transfer fee of £3.75m which was attracting media attention.
Although his history contrast with Giles in that there has not really been the same dizzy heights since leaving United, Keane’s achievements as a player and the silverware collected will prove difficult for anyone to match, as it includes 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cup wins, 4 FA Community Shields, 1 UEFA Champions League and 1 Intercontinental Cup.
But for all the success and glory there are also those who have left Old Trafford through the back door never reaching the mesmerising heights the sport can give.
The most recent being Liam Miller who this summer made a move to Australia after only one season at United back in 2004, where he only made 22 appearances. Or Joe Hanrahan who attracted the attention of Ron Atkinson’s staff during UCD's only European Cup Winner's Cup appearance in 1984, when they were drawn against Everton in the first round. Although a near miss by Hanrahan in the dying minutes at Goodison Park deprived the Students of a historic win on the away goals rule, Hanrahan did enough to get a move to Old Trafford.
But after two years without a first team appearance the Limerick man returned to Dublin to join Shamrock Rovers.
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