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The Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin, T.D. and the Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary T.D. have expressed their condolences to the family of Jack Charlton.

Minister Martin said:

I would like to join with the nation in expressing my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jack Charlton. Jack Charlton was an iconic figure in Irish life, whose influence was felt far beyond Irish soccer or the sports press. The heady days of Italia ‘90 are a placemarker in Irish history and at the heart of it all was Jack Charlton, his natural charm and Northumberland wit instilling in so many of us an enduring affection for Irish soccer and the Boys in the Green. At a difficult time in the relationship between these islands, Jack Charlton – a defensive lynchpin in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team – became known for his dedication to the development of Irish soccer and his grá and affection for Ireland. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Minister of State Calleary said:

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Jack Charlton, a true giant of Irish sport whose influence will be felt for generations to come. Whether it was Packie Bonner saving Daniel Timofte’s penalty in Genoa or the immense performance in the Giant’s Stadium to beat the Azzurri, we have so many great memories of the Boys in Green under Big Jack’s stewardship. Jack Charlton’s influence was felt far beyond Irish football and he played his part in reshaping the relationship between Ireland and England during a challenging period. He was a regular visitor to my home town of Ballina where he had a home, he loved fishing and helped to promote it in the region, and he was a great supporter of local activities. We will remember him with great fondness and our thoughts and prayers are with the Charlton family in their grief.