Joe Corcoran worked as Manchester United's Ireland scout for over 40 years and was instrumental in the signings of many of the famous Irish names that have donned the Red Devils jersey. Yesterday he passed away following a short illness at the age of 73.
In 1998 he and Sir Alex Ferguson convinced Ireland international John O'Shea to choose Manchester United over Celtic, O'Shea went on to make over 250 appearances for United, winning five Premier League titles as well as the Champions League in 2008.
As well as O'Shea, Joe was also instrumental in the Red Devils signing numerous other Irish players including Kevin Moran, Robbie Brady among others.
Ferguson and Corcoran forged a strong relationship since the Scot was appointed in 1986 and they maintained their friendship until Corcoran's final days in hospital. The pair shared a phone call recounting their memories together and their passion for football and horse-racing.
Players Joe Corcoran brought to Manchester United:
Kevin Moran
Gerry Daly
Liam O'Brien
John O'Shea
Robbie Brady
Paul McShane
He tried to convince Frank Stapleton to sign for Manchester United before he joined Arsenal, United later paid £900,000 to land the player in 1981. The first player he sent for a trial was a 13-year-old Ronnie Whelan, who later ended up at Liverpool.
Joe was from Ringsend and worked as a postman but was also heavily involved with Irish schoolboy football. He served as chairman for the Dublin District Schoolboy League from 1987 to 1999. He later became vice-chairman for the Irish Soccer Scouts Association.
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney paid tribute to Corcoran.
Joe did tremendous work as a scout for Manchester United and was hugely influential in getting them to open the Aviva Stadium against the Airtricity League XI in 2010
He'll be a huge loss to schoolboy football in Ireland and the game as a whole. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we will honour Joe at the Georgia game
Rest in peace to an Irish football and Manchester United legend.
