Paddy Roberts (footballer)

Patrick Roberts (24 May 1939 – 26 February 2022) was an Irish footballer who played for Shelbourne in the League of Ireland. As an international, he also played for the League of Ireland XI.

Paddy Roberts
Personal information
Full name Patrick Roberts
Date of birth 24 May 1939
Place of birth Drimnagh, Dublin, Ireland
Date of death 26 February 2022 (aged 82)
Place of death Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Central midfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1960–1969 Shelbourne
International career
League of Ireland XI
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Roberts lined out for Shelbourne from 1960 to 1969, making almost 150 League of Ireland appearances. He made his league debut at the end of the 1959–60 season and was a member of Shelbourne's 1961–62 league-winning team. A runner-up in the FAI Cup final in 1962, when Shelbourne lost to Shamrock Rovers, Roberts earned a winner's medal in 1963 after scoring in the 2–0 win over Cork Hibernians.[1] He also lined out when Shelbourne entered European competitions for the first time, most notably against Sporting CP in the 1962–63 European Cup and against Barcelona in the 1963–64 European Cup Winners' Cup.[2] Roberts also earned selection to the League of Ireland XI and was at midfield when the team recorded their sole win over the English Football League XI in October 1963.[3][4]

Personal life and death

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Away from football, Roberts worked as a pastry chef at the Gresham Hotel. He died at Beaumont Hospital on 26 February 2022, aged 82.[5]

Honours

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Shelbourne

References

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  1. ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan (28 February 2022). "Shelbourne mourn passing of 'truly great number 6' Paddy Roberts". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. ^ "'We weren't even allowed swap jerseys!' – when Shelbourne battled Barcelona at the Nou Camp". Football Live News. 4 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  3. ^ Byrne, Peter (30 September 2013). "When we were kings: glorious win undimmed by time". Irish Times. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Balls remembers the night the League of Ireland beat the English Football League". balls.ie. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. ^ "The death has occurred of Paddy Roberts". rip.ie. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.