Shay Brennan, a member of the legendary Manchester United European Cup winning side of 1968 - and predecessor of Irish heroes like Mick McCarthy, Ray Houghton and John Aldridge - as he was the first player to be capped for Ireland under the granny rule, passed away suddenly yesterday doing what he loved to do best, playing golf in Tramore where he has lived for a number of years.

Born May 6, 1937, in Manchester, Shay qualified for the Republic through his parents who both hailed from Co. Carlow. Shay joined Manchester United (the team his childhood hero Jackie Carey played for) on professional terms on April 22, 1955, from Manchester schoolboys.

When he joined the Red Devils he was one of a multitude of talented Irish players - such as Johnny Giles, Jackie Mooney, Billy Whelan and Tommy Hamilton - at the club. The young Brennan made his first-team debut against Sheffield Wednesday on February 19, 1958, in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The air was heavy with emotion on the night, just two weeks after the Munich air disaster - the first game since the tragedy. No-one really knew how the players would cope but they secured the win with the help of two goals for Shay as he terrorised the Wednesday defence with his raids down the left wing.

Shay scored his third goal of the competition in the semi-final replay against Fulham at Highbury, helping the Red Devils to reach the final. He lost his place in the team for the final as survivors of the air disaster came back into the side. Shay's three goals in the FA Cup that season were half of his total in his 355-match career for Manchester United.

He won his first league madal in 1965 where he played at right back and never missed a match throughout that season. His first international cap came at Dalymount Park on May 5, 1965, in a World Cup qualifier against Spain which Ireland won 1-0. The team included Manchester United team-mates Pat Dunne, Tony Dunne and Noel Cantwell, plus former United and then Leeds star Johnny Giles. Shay was to earn another 18 caps, his last coming against Italy in 1970.

United lifted the European Cup in 1968 which was a fitting tribute to those who perished in Munich. On a magical night at Wembley the Red Devils humbled Portuguese giants Benfica to become the first English club to lift the trophy.

Shay later said about the occasion: "Of all the moments I have known in the game, the bad as well as the good, that will stay in my mind as the most moving of the lot - in a way, the living and the dead were re-united that evening when we beat Benfica."

Shay moved to Ireland in1970 to take up the reins as player/coach at Waterford United where under his guidance the Blues won two league titles. He also managed Shamrock Rovers for a time before retiring from the game and settling in Tramore, Co. Waterford.

Shay will be missed by everybody involved with football. Especially those who witnessed him playing. Sympathy goes out to his family and friends. .