Stephen Kenny pays tribute to Alan McLoughlin and Alan Keely

"As a player, the Pompey fans adored Macca. He was one of the few players who can come from Southampton and have that affinity with the supporters."

POMPEY PRIDE: Alan McLoughlin during a Republic of Ireland training session at AUL Grounds in Clonshaugh. Former Portsmouth colleague Alan Knight says: "His coaching ability with the youngsters matched his playing ability. Not many can do that."

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has paid tribute to Ireland World Cup hero Alan McLoughlin and former League of Ireland player Alan Keely following their premature deaths.

Alan McLoughlin was capped 42 times by the Republic of Ireland under Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy, and famously scored the Windsor Park equaliser against Northern Ireland in November 1993 that sent the Republic of Ireland to USA ’94. He also won the FAI Player of the Year award in 1996.