Kildare's first ever international footballer sadly passes away
Mick Kearin in his playing days with Shamrock Rovers
Kildare’s first ever senor international soccer player, Mick Kearin, has sadly passed away aged 82.
The Kildare Town man earned his one and only cap against Austria in 1971 and he remained the only man from the county to have played for the Irish senior side until Mark Travers was capped in 2019.
Mr. Kearin played at underage level for St Patrick’s Athletic before making his first mark at senior League of Ireland level with Bohemians but it was when he transferred to Shamrock Rovers in 1966 that he really made his mark.
Not long after signing for the Hoops, he was involved in one of the club’s most famous European ties. At Dalymount Park, Rovers held a Bayern Munich team containing the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Müller to 1-1 draw in the first leg. In the return leg, Rovers went 2-0 down before battling back to level at 2-2 and were just minutes away from a historic win on away before a late Muller goal saved the Germans' blushes.
Mr. Kearin went on to win three FAI Cups in a row with Roves, scoring in the 4-1 replay win over Cork Celtic in 1969.
He also won three amateur caps for Ireland and represented the League of Ireland X1 on four occasions and after leaving Rovers played for Bohemians again and finished his League of Ireland career with Athlone Town.
After his playing days were over, he remained involved in football in his local area and Kildare Town led the tribute to him on their social media pages.
“We would also like to take this opportunity and shine light & praise on his footballing achievements.
Mick Kearin was the first man capped for Ireland from Kildare, making his Irish debut vs Austria in 1971.
He spent most of his footballing career at St. Pats, Bohs & Shamrock Rovers.
It was at Shamrock Rovers where he endured his best football moments, playing against European giants Bayern Munich, and given players such as Beckenbaur & Müller a run for their money, drawing 1-1 at home & narrowly getting beat 3-2 away in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup.
Mick also played an instrumental role in the early years of the club establishment in 1966, providing a home for football in Kildare Town.
Alongside his football abilities and achievements, more importantly Mick was a gentleman & legend.
As a sign of appreciation and remembrance, our senior teams will observe a minutes applause at their next matches to honour Micks legacy,” read the statement.
Mr Kearin’s remains will repose at McWeys Funeral Home, Abbeyview, Kildare Town from 5pm on Tuesday (29th July) concluding with rosary at 7pm.
Removal will place on Wednesday morning to arrive at St. Brigids Parish Church, Kildare Town for requiem mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in St. Conleths cemetery, Kildare Town.
Mr. Kearin is pre deceased by his wife Marie, son Mark and his parents Tim and May. He will be sadly missed by his loving sons Darren, Michael (Jnr) and Jody, daughters in law Ched, Ann-Marie and Aisling, grandchildren Megan, Jade, MJ, Alannah, Barra and Fionn, sister in law Betty, niece Danielle, nephew Paul, extended family, neighbours and friends.
