FORMER Republic of Ireland skipper Tony Grealish has passed away at the age of 56, after a battle with cancer

Grealish started his professional career with Leyton Orient before spells with Luton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City, Rotherham United and Walsall

Born in London to Irish parents, Grealish represented the Republic of Ireland 45 times between 1976 and 1985.

He made his debut against Norway and won his final cap against Denmark in November 1985.

Grealish also had a distinguished club career representing Leyton Orient, Luton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City, Rotherham United and Walsall.

One of the highlights of his career was captaining Brighton in the 1983 FA Cup Final against Manchester United. The former Ireland captain had brief managerial spells at non-league clubs Bromsgrove Rovers and Atherstone United.

FAI President Paddy McCaul said: "It is with great sadness that we heard of Tony Grealish's passing after battling illness so bravely. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. He will be remembered as a great servant of Irish football who was part of the international set-up under John Giles and Eoin Hand that came so close to qualifying for major tournaments and helped change Ireland's fortunes at that level of the game."

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney added: “Tony Grealish was one of my footballing heroes when I was a child and I always remembered him as a great competitor who always gave his all for Ireland. I remember him playing in the FA Cup Final for Brighton against Manchester United and he had an excellent career. He will be missed by Irish football and we will be paying tribute to him at the forthcoming international against Georgia.”

Grealish passed away in Devon last night after battling illness for the past 18 months. He is survived by his partner Wendy, children Garret and Jordana, grandchildren Harrison and Joshua, his mother Nora, brother Brian, sisters Anne and Christine and ex-wife Pippa.

John Delaney, chief executive of the FAI, added: "Tony Grealish was one of my footballing heroes when I was a child and I always remembered him as a great competitor who always gave his all for Ireland.

"He will be missed by Irish football and we will be paying tribute to him at the forthcoming international against Georgia."

Online Editors