Eoin plays Hand in €1m cash boost for Irish clubs

SOCCER clubs at schoolboy and amateur level in the Republic of Ireland have benefited to the tune of a staggering €1 million plus in compensation payments from British clubs, thanks to former Irish boss Eoin Hand.

Since taking up his post as FAI Career Guidance Officer in 1999, Hand has worked in an advisory capacity on the training and development of young players hoping to move cross channel.

The results are impressive - to put it mildly. The 59-year-old Dubliner, capped 21 times by his country, and manager of the national side on 45 occasions, never forsook the game.