5 July 1981; Kevin Moran of Dublin during the Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final match between Dublin and Laois at O'Connor Park, Tullamore. Photo by Ray McManus/SportsfileFormer Ireland and Man Utd defender Kevin Moran was spotted at Lowry's Bar in Clifden.Former Irish international footballer Kevin Moran has been soaking in the Galway sun this week after being spotted at a popular local pub in Clifden.The former Manchester United and Dublin GAA star was visiting Connemara on Monday evening and stopped into Lowry’s Bar to mingle with locals and soak in the pub’s warm atmosphere.The 71-cap Irish international and two-time All-Ireland winner posed with staff in the popular establishment, including the bar’s owner Damien Ryan.“We had the honour of welcoming Kevin Moran – former Ireland international and former Manchester United football legend – to Lowrys Bar last night!” the bar said on social media.“From the pitch to the pub, Kevin still knows how to light up a room. Thanks for stopping by Kevin — you made our night!”Moran (69) grew up in Rialto, Dublin and divided his youth between playing Gaelic games and soccer. In the early stages of his career, he divided his time between playing Gaelic football for Good Counsel in South Dublin and soccer for Bohemians.A short stint at Dalymount followed with limited first-team appearances before he departed to play Gaelic football for Dublin, winning four Leinster titles and two All-Ireland medals for Dublin – including an All-Star medal in 1976.5 July 1981; Kevin Moran of Dublin during the Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final match between Dublin and Laois at O'Connor Park, Tullamore. Photo by Ray McManus/SportsfileA move to Manchester United followed in 1978 after impressive stints with UCD, Pegasus and later Bohemians. After moving to Old Trafford, Moran infamously returned home to Dublin to take part in the 1978 Leinster Final, which Dublin lost to Kildare and resulted in him tearing his hamstring.The left-footed defender went on to make 277 competitive appearances across 10 seasons at Old Trafford, winning two FA Cups and famously receiving a red card in the 1985 final against Everton – becoming the first-ever player to do so.Praise from former Utd player Kevin Moran pictured in 1985Moran made 71 appearances for the Republic of Ireland between 1980 and 1994, played every game at Euro ’88 and Italia ’90 and was named FAI Player of the Year in 1989.His post-United career took him to Sporting Gijón in Spain, followed by a four-year stint at Blackburn Rovers, where he served as club captain and, unfortunately, retired the season before their famous Premier League win in the 1994-95 season.Since retirement, Moran has been inducted into the FAI Hall of Fame and was the subject of a biographical RTÉ documentary titled Codebreaker in 2023.
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