With Wednesday’s Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham now behind us, I thought it would be a good time to look back at five Irish players who have found success in Europe’s second-tier competition.
71/72 Joe Kinnear – Tottenham Hotspur
Ireland claimed a winner’s medal in the first ever edition of the Europa League (then UEFA Cup), and it came in the form of Spurs defender Joe Kinnear. At this time, the final was played over two legs. The late Kinnear lined up for both as the Londoners ran out 3-2 winners over Wolves. It was one of four honours he won whilst at Tottenham.
72/73 & 75/76 Steve Heighway – Liverpool
Dubliner Steve Heighway was part of the successful Liverpool team of the 70s that won it all, including two UEFA Cups. The 2nd and 5th editions of the competitions would pair nicely with the back to back European Cups of 76/77 and 77/78. The UEFA Cup victories came against Borussia Mönchegladbach (3-2) and Club Brugge (4-3).
80/81 Kevin O’Callaghan – Ipswich Town
Then-teenager O’Callaghan was an up and coming left winger at the time of Ipswich’s sole European triumph. He made five appearances in the run to the final, however he didn’t manage to make the squad for the final itself. The Tractor Boys defeated AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands 5-4 over the course of the two legged tie.
83/84 Chris Hughton and Tony Galvin – Tottenham Hotspur
The first and only time two Irishmen featured for a UEFA Cup winning side in the same season came in the 83/84 season, when Spurs beat the holders Anderlecht on penalties. 2-2 was the score at the end of the action, with both legs ending 1-1. Neither stepped up to take a spot kick, but nonetheless they more than earned their medal, with both Hughton and Galvin playing the entire 150 minutes.
We are yet to have any Irish winner since the UEFA Cup got branded as the Europa League, here’s hoping that things change next season