Al Finucane

Al Finucane

Personal information
Full name	Michael Alphonsus Finucane [1]
Date of birth	(1943-01-08) 8 January 1943 (age 81)
Place of birth	Limerick, Ireland
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1960–1973	Limerick	253	(23)
1973–1981	Waterford	218	(11)
1981–1986	Limerick	126	(3)
1986–1987	Waterford United	21	(0)
1987–1988	Newcastlewest	23	(0)
International career
	League of Ireland XI	26
1966	Republic of Ireland U23	1	(0)
1967–1971	Republic of Ireland	11	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Michael Alphonsus "Al" Finucane (born 8 January 1943) was an Irish footballer who played as a defender. During his 28-year career he played for League of Ireland sides Limerick, Waterford United and Newcastlewest. Finucane was also a member of several Republic of Ireland national football team squads.

Finucane played his first game for Limerick as a 17-year-old in 1961. Finucane played in Europe for Limerick against CSKA Sofia in 1965 and 21 years later for Waterford against Bordeaux. He is the oldest player who ever played in any European club competition beating Dino Zoff's previous record. In September 1986, when he appeared against Girondins de Bordeaux in the European Cup-Winners' Cup, he was 43 years and 261 days old. Also, despite playing in so many games, Finucane was never sent off and only received 3 yellow cards. He won 3 FAI Cup winners medals; in 1971 and 1982 with Limerick and 1980 with Waterford. He also hold the record for the most League of Ireland appearances.

By the mid-1960s offers from cross-Channel clubs were pouring in. Everton came over to see the Limerick half-back in action in Milltown, Jock Stein arrived from Glasgow Celtic and there were scouting missions from Swindon Town and Millwall. Serious offers followed but after talks between the player and his Limerick manager, the decision was made to remain in Limerick.^{[ citation needed ]}

He has the distinction of scoring the first ever goal in a competitive game at Flower Lodge.^{[ citation needed ]}

Finucane won 11 caps for Ireland and captained the team away to Austria in 1971 . He played in the first ever Republic of Ireland U23 game in 1966 and played in un-capped internationals against West Germany's Olympic team and Australia.^{[ citation needed ]}

Finucane scored against Hibernians F.C. in the 1980–81 European Cup Winners' Cup.^{[ citation needed ]}

In January 1985 Finucane won his first Player of the Month award. ^[2]

He retired in April 1988. ^[3]

His nephew, Paul Finucane, played for Limerick F.C. and his younger brother Tony played as a goalkeeper for Waterford United in the 1970s.^{[ citation needed ]}

He is known for his love of sunbathing.^{[ citation needed ]}

Honours

Club

• FAI Cup: 3
  • Limerick F.C. 1971, 1982
  • Waterford United 1980
• FAI League Cup
  • Waterford United 1973–74
• Dublin City Cup
  • Limerick F.C. 1969–70

Individual

• SWAI Personality of the Year
  • Limerick F.C. - 1966–67
• FAI Football Legend
  • 2007

References

1. "Personal file: Al Finucane, sales manager" (PDF). Limerick Leader. 25 February 1989. p. 21.
2. "The Irish Times - Tuesday, February 26, 1985 - Page 3".
3. "The Irish Times - Tuesday, April 12, 1988 - Page 002". Archived from the original on 24 October 2012.

External links

• Al Finucane file at Limerick City Library, Ireland