
Football
Share
Published 14:43 31 Dec 2021 GMT
Updated 14:54 31 Dec 2021 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
"Big man, it's bad enough being a Catholic, but being a black one is bang out of order!"[caption id="attachment_245477" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Norman Whiteside (l) is congratulated by Manchester United team mates Gordon Strachan, Paul McGrath and Mike Duxbury (r) after scoring the winning goal against Everton in the 1985 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images)[/caption]
"We said hello to each other first, then we didn't speak for a few days. But, once we trained together, we soon became fast friends. We just realised it was stupid what we were doing [in not speaking]. "I was from Dublin, he was from Belfast, and there were a lot of tensions back then. But I think we both said, 'Look, we're going to have to play together, be it in the reserves or the first team, so let's just make a pact'. "We really did just sit down and have a cup of coffee and have it out, basically. To be honest, Norman was someone I didn't want to have a fight with because he was dangerous! We became fast friends and still are, to this day."McGrath was part of a strong core of Republic of Ireland footballers at United, during the 1980s, that included Kevin Moran, Frank Stapleton, Ashley Grimes [and, later], Derek Brazil and Liam O'Brien. Whiteside got on extremely well with McGrath and Moran and never forgot the night the Dubs brought him along to see a Wolfe Tones gig in Manchester. [caption id="attachment_245475" align="aligncenter" width="2048"]
Manchester United players from left to right, Graeme Hogg, Paul McGrath, Viv Anderson, Chris Turner and Norman Whiteside look on during the photo call ahead of the 1987/88 season. (Getty Images)[/caption]
"Paul paints a cosy picture of that night... but it was far from the evening of respectful banter that he remembers. "Of course it was all rebel songs and the room was full of republicans, as I'd expected, but as the drink went down I became more and more aware that, for some of the band's fans, I was as welcome as, well, a Shankill Road protestant at a Wolfe Tones gig. "When I went to the toilet, a few of the punters tried to rough me up, jostling me around and telling me they 'knew where I came from and where I lived'. "A word from Kevin and it was all sorted. And I had bouncers protecting me for the rest of the night."To Whiteside, the night was a 'bleak reminder' that the religious divide was still strong, even in the sight of catholics and protestants playing, and socialising, together for Manchester United.
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – April 24th to 26th
Some huge clashes! The ultimate TV guide for live weekend sport in Ireland is back! It’s another huge week in the Premier League with Arsenal hosting Newcastle, there are a host of massive inter-county championship matches in both hurling and Gaelic football, and there is an intriguing Irish derby in the URC to look forward […]
Football
1h
Shane Long details why he missed celebration of one Ireland’s best ever moments
Well that’s a pity. Shane Long’s name will forever be etched in Irish footballing history. His goal in Ireland’s 1-0 win over Germany in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign was one of the best finishes ever seen at the Aviva Stadium, and was the catalyst for wild celebrations both during after the game. However, the […]
Football
2h
The weekend’s action: Follow all of the football as City host Arsenal
Football