Football mourns after death of Ray Brady, 79

Ray Brady, former Ireland international, has passed away at the age of 79.

His brother Liam wrote about Ray in his Irish Examiner column only last Monday, noting with pride that Ray had played in the team which beat Austria 3-2 in a celebrated game at Dalymount Park in 1963, the last time Ireland beat Austria until Saturday night’s 1-0 win in Vienna.

Revealing Ray was in poor health, Liam said Ireland’s latest victory would have “cheered up” his brother.

In his column, Liam wrote: “Although I was only seven at the time, it’s a match and an experience which remains vivid in my memory, since not only was it my first time being brought to see Ireland play but, to complete my excitement, my brother Ray was playing in a side which won a thrilling contest 3-2 with a last-minute Noel Cantwell penalty. With a fever-pitch atmosphere at Dalymount, it wouldn’t be any exaggeration to say that this was the game that turned me totally football crazy.”

One of four Brady brothers to play at senior level, Ray was born in Dublin in 1937 and, after graduating from Home Farm, played for Transport before joining Millwall at age 20. Six years and 165 league appearances later, he signed for QPR where he was a regular from 1963 to 1966. He also played in England for Hastings United before finishing his career, in 1971, at St Pat’s.

Uniquely John Giles played alongside Ray in that 0-0 draw against Austria and played alongside Liam as he made his Ireland debut against the USSR 11 years later.

Ray also won six caps for Ireland between 1963 and 1964.

The Examiner would like to offer sincere condolences to Liam and the family.

FAI chief John Delaney said: “Ray served his clubs and country with distinction. We’ll pay tribute to him at next year’s World Cup qualifier against Wales.”