About time Ronnie was recognised as one of our greats

It hardly carried the glamour or gravitas of an induction into Cooperstown or Springfield, it wasn’t like there was a Larry Bird to welcome his Magic Johnson into this particular Hall of Fame, but there was something particularly pleasing about seeing Ronnie Whelan being honoured at the FAI International Awards on Sunday.

In these eyes he has been one of Irish sport’s most under-appreciated greats, within, as well as outside his sport.

For almost half a century we were spoiled with the calibre of central midfield player to come out of this country. Johnny Giles was the fulcrum of the terrific Leeds team of the ’60s and early ’70s.