Jim McLaughlin: Tributes paid to treble winning football manager

Tributes have been paid to Jim McLaughlin, the only football manager to win all of Ireland’s domestic trophies in a single season.

A former Northern Ireland international and manager of his native club Derry City, he died on Thursday at the age of 83.

As Derry manager, he led the team to an unequalled treble of League, League Cup and FAI Cup in 1989.

Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr said the former Derry manager had brought “unbridled pride and joy to our city”.

Mr McLaughlin was given the freedom of the city of Derry in 2019.

In a statement, Derry City Football Club said Mr McLaughlin was simply one of “the most successful managers in Irish football” whose historic achievements have “never been equalled since”.

Born near Derry City’s Brandywell stadium, Jim McLaughlin had an unsurpassed record in management.

His Dundalk team did the double, his Shamrock Rovers team did the double twice, before his Derry City team pulled off the treble.

Under McLaughlin, Dundalk was unbeaten at home in European competition against PSV Eindhoven, Glasgow Celtic, Hadjuk Split, Oporto and Spurs.

As a player, McLaughlin donned the Derry City jersey, before moving on to Birmingham City, Swansea City, Shrewsbury Town and Peterborough United.

He famously scored at Anfield’s Kop end in the FA Cup quarter final in 1964, as Swansea knocked out Liverpool.

At international level, he won 12 caps for Northern Ireland, and scored six international goals.

The Irish Football Association said it was saddened to learn of Mr McLaughlin’s death.

Writing on X, the association said: “In 1964 Jimmy McLaughlin broke two fingers playing for us against England. He returned to the pitch and went on to score twice in the same game. What a player. Our thoughts are with Jim’s family circle at this sad time.”

Northern Ireland musician Phil Coulter, who grew up near Jim McLaughlin described him as “an absolute hero” in the world of Irish soccer.

“I knew Jim since we were teenagers in the neighbourhood,” he said. His achievements in LOI are legendary, especially, for me, his steering Derry City to a glorious treble in 1989. A gentleman”.

League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon said Mr Mclaughlin was “a true League of Ireland legend who achieved unprecedented success in our game”.

He added: “As well as his incredible career in Irish football, Jim was a remarkable person who will be greatly missed by everyone in Irish football.”

Former BBC Radio Foyle sports broadcaster Ritchie Kelly said Mr McLaughlin “was an extraordinary football man both as a player and a manager”.

He was, Mr Kelly said, “a talented footballer and arguably the best manager the league of Ireland has seen in its history”.

An adept man manager with an intensive football knowledge, Mr Kelly said the former Derry boss was “top of the class”.