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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Charlie O'Leary with Paul McGrath. Photo Paul McGrath X
Paul McGrath has led the birthday wishes to an Irish soccer legend Charlie O'Leary who has turned 100.
The centenarian was a kitman under the Jack Charlton set up which saw Ireland compete at Euro 88 and reach Italia 90 and USA 94 World Cups.
Paul McGrath described the former referee as a "great friend who looked away a few times and kept me out of trouble with Jack".
O'Leary became a part of the Irish backroom set-up in 1986, just before Irish soccer hit the big time.
He remained as part of the team behind the Irish team until 2000.
Happy 100th birthday to a great friend over the years who looked away a few times and kept me out of trouble with Jack. Love you Charlie pic.twitter.com/mFGCqRH1hU
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) February 1, 2024
A former player, Charlie became a referee and officiated in the League of Ireland for more than 20 years and he oversaw the 1972 FAI Cup Final between Cork Hibernians and Waterford.
Involved with the Leinster Football League, Charlie acted as a Liaison Officer for international teams visiting Dublin for games before joining Jack Charlton's Republic of Ireland backroom staff as kitman.
The FAI outlined that Charlie was a key figure behind the scenes with the Irish team during the 1988 UEFA European Championships as well as the FIFA World Cup tournaments in 1990 and 1994.
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