D.O.B. :02/08/2006 D.O.D. :02/08/2006
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Tony Dunne a defender of the highest quality, Dubliner Tony Dunne played 33 times for Ireland and made a remarkable 530 first team appearances for Manchester United in a team that included George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton - the side that Matt Busby led to European Cup glory with that 4-1 victory over Benfica at Wembley in the 1988 final.
Dunne first caught the eye of United when helping Shelbourne to a 2-0 FAI Cup final victory over Cork Hibernians at Dalymount Park in 1960 - Eric Barber and Joe Wilson being the marksmen. Just weeks later the talented Dunne was on his way to Old Trafford at, even in those days, a give-away price of £5,000.
Playing at left back in those days for United was a certain Corkman and also then Irish skipper Noel Cantwell. Dunne had to be patient and mark time in the reserves to await his chance of a breakthrough to the senior squad. Once that came along it became clear that Busby had unearthed a full back of rare talent with Dunne keeping his first-team place for over a decade.
Dunne was largely unconcerned with the business of breaking forward, preferring instead to deliver a simple pass to a United midfielder or striker - though many thought he might had even greater glory with his undoubted ability to burst down the wing out of defence. The Dubliner's priority was to guard the left flank and this he achieved with great elan.
At international level, Dunne was once more hindered by the familiar figure of Cantwell, the man who had been the automatic left back selection for ten years. But in 1962, with the the national team increasingly keen to use Cantwell's physical presence as a striker, Dunne was to win his first cap.
That was in the 3-2 defeat by Austria in a friendly at Dalymount Park on April 8 when he filled the right back role. But his best performances in the green shirt were when paired with his Old Trafford team-mate Shay Brennan at thr right side of defence and Dunne on the left.
As Manchester United won the then First Division title in 1965 and 1967, Dunne matured to become an increasingly constructive player. His raids down the left resulted in one memorable goal for Shamrock Rovers man Jackie Mooney in Ireland's 3-2 victory over Poland at Dalymount in October, 1964.
The pinnacle of Dunne's international career came in 1969 when he was appointed captain of his country for the first time - an honour he had on a further four occasions. Always will be remembered as a player of tigerish tacking ability, no little skill and total commitment.
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Tony Dunne's full debut
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08.04.1962 at 00:00
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Friendly / Prog |
H |
Austria
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2 - 3 |
Games in which Tony Dunne was a Substitute.
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05.05.1974
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Friendly |
A |
Brazil
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1 - 2 |
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