Former Shamrock Rovers left half and Coad's Colts member Liam Hennessy passes away
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
The death has occurred of the former Shamrock Rovers player Liam Hennessy at the age of 87.
Left half Hennessy was part of the famous ‘Coad’s Colts’ side that won 19 trophies in five years under Paddy Coad.
Hennessy won three League of Ireland titles, two FAI Cups and was also party to four League of Ireland Shields and five Leinster Senior Cup successes.
The Glasnevin native joined Rovers as a 17-year-old after returning home from a three-month apprenticeship with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He represented the Republic of Ireland at underage level and as part of a League of Ireland select, while he was part of the Rovers side that faced Manchester United’s ill-fated Busby Babes in 1957.
“Liam was playing with a team by the name of Seaview Rangers at St. Anne’s Park when he was approached by Paddy Coad who was scouting on behalf of Shamrock Rovers,” states a tribute posted on the Shamrock Rovers website.
“At that time the Hoops had a C team for younger players who were basically schoolboys. Liam spent three years in between the C and B teams before finally making his debut against Limerick during the 1952/53 season.
“That was to be a baptism of fire for the young inside-left as Rovers had not won in the previous nine games and Limerick was a tough place to go at any time.
“As it happened the Hoops won 3-0 with one of the outstanding moments of the game being Liam’s 35-yard drive that resulted in a goal. He didn’t look back after that.”
Hennessy spent 12 years in total with the Hoops before signing for an American side by the name of Julianna, following the Hoops’ tour of the States in 1961.
He returned home a year later, moving to Waterford, where Coad had returned to manage his hometown club, in 1962.
After two seasons with the Blues, he returned to Dublin with St Patrick’s Athletic, and he played out the final three seasons of his career before retiring in 1967 aged 35.
He spent some time coaching after his retirement before taking up refereeing.
