Dual footballing legend, Kevin Moran was on Second Captains Live last night giving us an insight to his career as both a successful half back for Dublin and centre back for Manchester United.
Moran was certainly a master of both trades picking up two all Irelands with the Dubs and two FA cups with United.
What's even more impressive about Moran's career is that he was juggling the two sports simultaneously towards the end of the 1970's.
Moran was asked whether the hierarchy at United knew about his antics with the Dublin side.
They didn't know much. Back then you'd have the whole summer off with United which allowed me to come home and train with the Dublin side. The only time I was granted special dispensation was in 78' when we reached the All Ireland Final.
Moran was also quizzed about how he dealt with the physical demands of playing two sports at the highest level.
I pulled my hamstring in the lead up to the game in 78' but played anyway and just ripped it to thunder and picked up nine stitches. We were out that night and I had to return to Manchester for training on the Monday. I walked in to the dressing room and they all fell about laughing, I had told the manager before that Gaelic football was nothing serious, you don't get injured.
Although he excelled equally at both sports Moran hinted that he always had a stronger affinity for the Dubs. Speaking about his offer from United Moran said;
I was more committed to Dublin at the time, I wasn't in the United first team so that made it easier for them to let me travel back and forth. When I was offered a trial I said no initially, and then I said I'll give you three days, thats it because I wanted to keep coming back and over without anyone knowing.
After the three days, I remember Dave Sexton turning to me and offering me a two and a half year contract, I told him I needed two to three weeks to think about it and he laughed, but that's exactly how long I needed.
As if playing for two elite sporting teams wasn't enough Moran was also working as a chartered accountant at the time United offered him a full deal.
Moran went on to play over 200 times for the United and 71 times for Ireland. The master of trades was the talk of social media last night.
Kevin Moran on #secondcaptains is a legend. Great career in my two favourite sports
— Feargal Rooney (@FRooney88) October 7, 2015
Kevin Moran never knew what he done , sick !! #SecondCaptainsLive #Legend — Enda Flanagan (@enda_flanagan) October 7, 2015
@SecondCaptains great interview with kevin moran, some life story, some athlete
— Paul Gormley (@Gorm0) October 7, 2015
Culchies may hate Dublin GAA. But we have so much respect for Kevin Moran #secondcaptains — GruffaloSoldier (@ShayP_M) October 7, 2015
I think I'm a little bit in love with Kevin Moran. What a gentleman @SecondCaptains — Evanna (@evannac) October 7, 2015
