THE ASHES of former Ireland and Manchester United captain Noel Cantwell will be spread in his hometown of Cork today.
The Irish sporting legend captained Manchester United to their first major trophy after the Munich air tragedy and won 36 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Cantwell died in 2005 at the age of 73 and his ashes had been kept by wife Maggie until her passing last year.
According to the Irish Examiner, his family is now bringing the remains of the proud Corkman home.
Born in 1932, he played international level in both cricket and football before devoting himself full time to having the ball at his feet.
Having starred with Western Rovers in Cork as a 17-year-old, he earned a transfer to first Cork Athletic and soon after, West Ham United in London.
He played for the east London club for eight years before transferring to Manchester United in 1960, just 18 months after the Munich air disaster.
He captained the Red Devils to their breakthrough FA Cup win in 1963 in a team that included Paddy Crerand, Johnny Giles, Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton.
Members of the Manchester United team in their train carriage after their 3-1 victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup Final. With the trophy (right to left) manager Matt Busby, Maurice Setters, captain Noel Cantwell, and their wives. (Picture: Getty Images)He went on to win two league titles with Manchester United before leaving in 1967b at the age of 35.
He went on to manage teams in the United States and England after his retirement from playing.
Today, his daughters Kate and Elizabeth will attend a special ceremony at Cork County Cricket Club - their father's boyhood club – where his ashes will be spread on the grass he once played on.
His family said he would have loved the idea of his native city commemorating him with a road between two of his favourite sports fields.
Noel Cantwell road is located between the Mardyke and Western Road in the city.
Cork City Councillor Mick Finn said it was “wonderfully fitting” that such a proud son of Cork return home.
A special ceremony was held for Mr Cantwell in March 2015, which was attended by Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane.
His wife Maggie was also present on the day and spoke of her late husband’s deep love for his hometown.
She said: “Noel was a true son of Cork. He loved this city and he was never more pleased than when we would sail up the River Lee on the good old Innisfallen ferry and spend our summer days in the Mardyke and Clonakilty.
