Cork to honour Ireland’s Manchester United hero Noel Cantwell

An almost forgotten legend of Irish sport is to get formal recognition in his home city.

The late, great Noel Cantwell, who skippered Manchester United in the 1960s, and who also played soccer and cricket for his country, is to have a walkway close to where he lived on Cork’s famous Mardyke named in his honour. City councillors agreed to the move at Monday’s council meeting following separate proposals from Cllrs Mick Finn and Tom O’Driscoll.

“He was one of the greats of his era,” Mr O’Driscoll said. “He’d be fondly remembered by older generations. But his achievements are not widely known by the wider public today. It is important we recognised the achievements of our sporting heroes and he’s part of our sporting heritage.”

It is hoped the pedestrian walkway opposite the gates of Fitzgerald Park will be dedicated the Noel Cantwell Walkway as quickly as possible.

The Mardyke-born defender, who died in Peterborough in 2005 aged 73, was one of Ireland’s first international soccer stars. Togging out in the mid-1950s for Cork Athletic, the then 18-year-old was, within a few months, playing with West Ham, helping them to the Second Division title in 1958. When he was 29, in 1960, he was bought up by Matt Busby for a then record £29,500, and was a key player as Busby rebuilt United following the Munich Air Disaster.

Cantwell went on to make 144 appearances during his seven-year career at Old Trafford and captained United’s 1963 FA Cup-winning side. He also won 36 caps for Ireland, scoring 14 goals, and narrowly missed out on leading his country to the 1966 World Cup Finals in England.

He also played cricket for Ireland, scoring 48 runs in two innings.