Cork Hibernians great John Herrick dies, aged 78

Herrick's performances with Hibs made him the club's first full international

In 2018, Donie Wallace, Alfie Hale, John Herrick, John Brohan, the author Michael Russell and Dinny Allen at the launch of the book Hibs! A history of Cork Hibernians FC 1956 -1976 at the Kiln Heineken Ireland

Former Ireland international and Cork Hibernians legend John Herrick has died, aged 78. 

With Hibs, Herrick won the League of Ireland Championship in 1971, and the FAI Cup and Blaxnit All-Ireland trophies in 1972.

A tough but clean defender, his performances with Hibs made him the club's first full international, playing for Ireland against Chile in 1971. In all, he made three appearances for the Republic, travelling to Brazil on the 1972 tour for the Brazil Independence Cup. 

And the high point of his international career came when he featured for Liam Tuohy's side in a 1-1 draw with  France in the Parc des Princes in 1973.

In 1973, he left Hibs to join Shamrock Rovers, before returning a year later, making almost 200 appearances for the Cork club in all. 

He moved to Limerick in 1976, helping the club reach the 1977 FAI Cup final and then becoming player-manager for a spell. 

He later played with Drogheda United and joined Galway Rovers, again serving as player-manager in the west where he settled after retirement from the game, working as a sign writer. 

John's son, Mark, also enjoyed a successful League of Ireland career, playing for Galway United and Cork City, winning the FAI Cup on Leeside in 1998.

Galway United described John Herrick as one of the club's "most inspirational leaders and finest ever footballers".

"John’s play was fiery, aggressive, determined and an inspiration to all.

"That a man of his stature showed such power and resolve set the benchmark for colleagues and charmed local supporters."

“Arguably it was John’s stewardship of Galway Rovers when he led them to a League Cup final in 1980 that set the imagination for the club and paved the way for our halcyon era of the mid eighties.

Cork Hibs, league winners in1971. Back: Terry Young, Noel O'Mahony, Frankie Connolly, Joker O'Grady, Tony Marsden, Carl Davenport, Dave Wiggington. Front: Donie Wallace, John Herrick, Dave Bacuzzi, Sonny Sweeny, John Lawson. Missing from photo Miah Dennehy.

"John settled in Galway with his wife Pat to raise their family. It could truthfully be said about John that he epitomised the Gaeilge phrase, b’fhear é nach ndearna dhá leath dhá dhícheall ariamh.

“He was a man who never spared himself. He supported and counselled many in a quiet discreet fashion. His pride and love for his family was central to his very being.

“In his craftsmanship as a sign-writer, in his beautiful and accomplished paintings and in his study and love of Gaeilge John showed that he was much more than an ex-international footballer. He lived life to the full and connected to the core of Galway life.”

Cork City added their own tribute: 

"Everyone at Cork City FC is saddened to learn of the passing of John Herrick.

"John was a former Cork Hibernians player, and father of former City player, Mark Herrick.

"Our thoughts are with the Herrick family at this time. May John rest in peace."