Irishman Patrick O’Connell is being inducted into Barcelona's hall of fame

Dubliner Patrick O’Connell managed the Spanish side in the 1930s and is credited with saving the club from bankruptcy.

Irishman Patrick O’Connell is being inducted into Barcelona's hall of fame

An Irish footballer and manager is to be honoured by football giants FC Barcelona.

Dubliner Patrick O’Connell managed the Spanish side in the 1930s and is credited with saving the club from bankruptcy.

O’Connell also managed rivals Real Betis for a time and Barca have chosen a match between the two sides tomorrow night to induct him into their hall of fame.

He will become the first Irishman in the club’s hall of fame, joining legends including Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona.

A painting of O’Connell by Manchester artist Tony Denton will be unveiled before tomorrow’s game.

O’Connell had captained both Ireland and Manchester United during his playing days, but despite his career successes he died penniless in London and was buried in an unmarked grave.

The Patrick O'Connell Memorial Fund was created to raise funds to build a memorial at St Mary’s cemetery on Kensal Road in north-west London where O'Connell lies in an unmarked grave.

The fund organisers describe the manager as the “saviour of Barca”.

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