Former Republic of Ireland international Ambrose Fogarty has died at the age of 82, Hartlepool have announced.

Dublin-born Fogarty, who began his career with Home Farm and also played for Glentoran, joined Sunderland in October 1957 and scored 44 goals in 144 appearances for the club.

He joined neighbours Hartlepool for a then club record fee of £10,000 in November 1963 and it was during his spell at the Victoria Ground that he collected the last of his 11 senior international caps.

Fogarty, a close friend of former Sunderland team-mate and Hartlepool manager Brian Clough, returned to Ireland in 1967 to become player-manager at Cork Hibernians and later Cork Celtic, and went on to manage Drumcondra and Galway United before a near-20-year reign at Athlone Town before retiring back to Wearside.

The FAI passed on its condolences to his wife Brenda, children Sean, Donal, Maura and Colette plus his wider relatives and friends.

"He was the manager against AC Milan in 1975 - we were a struggling team until he came along. We'd signed Terry Daly and Eugene Davis then Amby came in. He transformed the club and had a lot of Brian Clough's characteristics - the passion he had, he was so strong minded and fell out with a lot of people along the way because of his desire to get things done," said former Athlone Town stalwart Pauric Nicholson.

"Amby's appointment as manager was the start of some great times for the club. He did play one game for us against Home Farm when we were up the top end of the table and I scored the equaliser with a late penalty. We beat Cork to finish Runners-up that season and the next year we played AC Milan.

"He wasn't at the 40th anniversary dinner recently but he was missed on the night and he was such a great motivator. He was hard on players - myself included - but it was for your own good and the players all respected that. He'll be sadly missed"

FAI President Tony Fitzgerald paid tribute to the former international and League of Ireland manager.

"Ambrose Fogarty had a great playing career and was the pioneer bringing in the likes of Alex Ludzic and players from the UK to the League of Ireland. He helped created a lot of interest for soccer in Cork and successfully managed both Cork Hibs and Cork Celtic," said Fitzgerald.

"It is always a sad occasion to learn of the passing of a former international and we pass on our respects to his family and remember his contribution to Irish football with fondness."

Ambrose Fogarty, who was the first manager of Galway Rovers in the League of Ireland, has sadly passed away. RIP. pic.twitter.com/QOp1nWfYIU — Galway United FC (@GalwayUnitedFC) January 4, 2016

Ambrose Fogarty has passed away at 82. He started #Bohs career in 1952 before starring for Ireland & Sunderland. RIP pic.twitter.com/DvmytGNmvE — Bohemian FC (@bfcdublin) January 4, 2016

#SAFC are saddened to hear of the passing of former player Ambrose Fogarty at the age of 82. RIP. pic.twitter.com/F8J1mP4UvI — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 4, 2016

PA Media