Kevin Moran (footballer)

Kevin Bernard Moran (born 29 April 1956) is a former Irish footballer who excelled at the top levels in both Gaelic and soccer. In Gaelic football, he is known for his time as a Dublin senior team player, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championships with them, and in soccer for his career with Manchester United and Ireland. He was the first man to be sent off in an FA Cup Final.
Moran grew up in Rialto, Dublin until his early teens, before he moved to the Long Mile Road in Walkinstown. While there, he attended James' Street CBS and Drimnagh Castle CBS where gaelic football was the dominant sport although soccer proved to be the sport he played on the streets while growing up. During the period in which he played Gaelic football for Good Counsel and soccer for Rangers [3], Bohemians and Pegasus he had divided loyalties between the two sports, as both sports were then played on a Saturday.

Moran was an inter-county Gaelic football player for Dublin in Ireland. A former Dublin U-21 player Moran was called up to the senior panel for the first time in 1976. He won two All-Ireland Championship medals with Dublin in 1976 and 1977. He helped Dublin to defeat Kerry — who had beaten Dublin in the 1975 final – in the 1976 final (by 3–8 to 0–10) and again in the 1977 semi-final thanks to new tactics by manager Kevin Heffernan that hindered Kerry's tactic to pull defenders forward and take full advantage of the space behind the half back line. The 1977 final saw a 5–12 to 3–6 victory over Armagh in Croke Park. Moran was awarded an All-Star for his performance in the 1976 championship.

Moran was also part of the 1976/77 side that won the National Football League for Dublin with a win over Derry in the final. He played his club football for Dublin-based GAA club Good Counsel.

With Bohs winning everything bar the FAI Cup in the 1974-75 League of Ireland season 18-year-old Moran did not have an opportunity for much game time and only made one League of Ireland appearance in the last game of the season on 17 April 1975. After Bohs he moved to UCD where in December 1975 he won the Collingwood Cup. In February 1976 Moran won the Universities Championship when he scored the winner for the Irish Universities against their Scottish counterpartsMoran started playing as a full back with Bohemians F.C. and then Pegasus. He was spotted by Billy Behan, a Manchester United scout, who reported to United manager Dave Sexton, and Moran signed for Manchester United in February 1978. He made his senior debut on 20 April 1979 against Southampton, and was a regular player in the first team by the time Ron Atkinson had succeeded Sexton as manager in June 1981. Despite not being the tallest of defenders, Kevin was known for his strong aerial ability and was a threat in the box from corners and set pieces.

Playing as a centre back, he won FA Cup medals with the club in 1983 and 1985.

Moran is notable for receiving a red card in the 1985 FA Cup Final against Everton, the first player ever to be sent off in an FA Cup final. TV cameras revealed that he had gone for the ball, and not for Peter Reid in the offending tackle. He was later presented with the winner's medal that had at first been withheld.

After 10 years with United, Moran left Old Trafford as a 32-year-old in the summer of 1988, having played his final 18 months at the club under the management of Alex Ferguson. His first team opportunities had been limited since the arrival of Steve Bruce in December 1987.

He transferred to Sporting Gijón, where he remained for two seasons, making 33 appearances without scoring. During his time at Sporting Gijón, Moran roomed with promising youngster and future Real Madrid and Barcelona star Luis Enrique.

In 1990, he returned to England to join Second Division Blackburn Rovers. He was an automatic choice in the first team, but endured a disappointing first season at Ewood Park as Rovers finished 19th in the Second Division. The following season was a huge success, however, as playoff victory ended the club's 26-year exile from the top division and secured their place in the new Premier League. Moran continued in his role as club captain as Rovers finished fourth in 1992–93 and runners-up in 1993–94, and finally retired at the end of the 1993–94 season – one year before Rovers won their first league title in 81 years. In both seasons preceding Moran's retirement, Rovers were beaten to the title by his old club Manchester United.

Moran made his debut for the Republic of Ireland against Sweden in 1980 and played a key role in Ireland's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals in Spain. He played 71 times for Ireland between 1980 and 1994, including UEFA Euro 1988 in Germany and the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, and scored 6 goals. He was also a member of the Irish squad at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, despite being 38 years old and about to retire from playing completely, but did not play due to an injury he picked up before the tournament started.

After retiring from football, Moran made a career in business. In 1994, he formed a football agency, Proactive Sports Management, with Paul Stretford and Jesper Olsen. His own clients include John O'Shea and Steve Finnan. Moran has also worked as a pundit on Irish television channel TV3.

Gaelic football

Dublin

• All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2): 1976, 1977
• Leinster Senior Football Championship (3): 1975, 1976, 1977

Association football

Manchester United

• FA Cup (2): 1982–83, 1984–85
• FA Charity Shield (1): 1983