On Saturday, former Manchester United scout Joe Corcoran was laid to rest after passing away at the age of 73, following a short illness.
The Dubliner had been involved with the Old Trafford club for four decades, maintaining a close friendship with the club's ex-manager Alex Ferguson and discovering a number of Irish players - some of whom would go on to have long careers in the red shirt.
The XI below shows the Irish names that Corcoran scouted during his career, although not all went on to represent Man United:
Joe Coll: The Donegal native spent some time in Man United's youth ranks, and in an interview with Off The Ball last year, credited Corcoran with getting him involved with the FIFPro Winter tournament.
Paul McShane: The Republic of Ireland defender, now with Reading at club level, was another Irish player introduced to Man United in the early stages of his career.
Sad to hear about the passing of Joe Corcoran, a genuine and well respected man in the game. He'll be truly missed. R.I.P.
— Paul McShane (@pmacca15) July 26, 2015
John O'Shea: The Ireland and Sunderland centre-back is arguably Corcoran's greatest discovery when it comes to success with Manchester United. He convinced the Waterford man to choose the club over Celtic, as he went on to make over 250 appearances in the red shirt.
Kevin Moran: The ex-United and Ireland defender has spoken to Off The Ball about his early beginnings with Gaelic football, but it was Corcoran who has been credited with taking him to Manchester in the late '70s.
Jimmy Holmes: A hero in the colours of Coventry in the '70s, the Dubliner has been cited as a Corcoran protege who was pointed towards Coventry after another of his prospects was turned down by United.
Gino Lawless: The Dubliner had a trial with Manchester United in 1979, he went on to have a successful career in the League of Ireland, especially at Bohemians and Dundalk.
Liam O'Brien: Ron Atkinson's last signing as Man United manager in 1986, the midfielder with 16-caps to his name, is another player scouted by Corcoran.
Ronnie Whelan: The former Ireland midfielder went on to have an excellent career at Liverpool, but at 13 he went on trial to Man United thanks to Joe Corcoran. As Whelan once told Off The Ball, he had dreamed of playing for United as a child.
Gerry Daly: A former Ireland midfielder with almost 50 international caps, the 61-year-old Cabra-born player joined Man United in 1973.
Robbie Brady: Currently in the Ireland setup on the left flank, Brady, who is expected to switch from Hull to Norwich, joined United's academy aged 16 in 2008 and is the most high-profile recent player to arrive at Old Trafford thanks to Corcoran.
Frank Stapleton: Although the former Ireland striker ended up choosing Arsenal initially - despite Corcoran's best efforts - Stapleton eventually signed for Man United in 1981.
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