Irish sporting legend, who died in the UK 13 years ago, said they’re glad he’s “finally home” after scattering his ashes on the famous tube cricket, writes Owen English.
Noel Cantwell daughters, Kate and Liz Cantwell, said after the heartfelt prayer ceremony today in the cork County cricket Club on Marduk, where the cork-born former captain of Manchester United, Irish soccer and cricket international has embarked on his distinguished career.
Mardik was born in 1932, one of the best wingbacks of his generation and one of the first in Ireland international football star, slit and died in Peterborough, England, September 8, 2005 at the age of 73.
The family of Noel Cantwell, the daughter of Kate’s slit, niece Allison and daughter Elizabeth was introduced to scatter the ashes of Noel in County cork Cricket club. Photo: Daragh Mac Sweeney/Provision
Kate, who was joined by her sons, Sam and Joe, her sister, Liz, and extended family and friends, said today was a day of mixed emotions.
“Me and my dad with me in my house for 13 years. But it’s a really special place for us. It’s like coming home. I always felt that he must return to cork, because it’s his house,” she said.
After the prayer father John Finn, she told the audience: “I know that you will continue to tell stories about slit boys, and in memory of my father, of course, will live forever.”
Kate said that her father, who was born 28 December 1932, villas on elm on Marduk, the youngest of eight children, loved as a child to play cricket with his brothers, Frank and Gerard, in the County of cork, cricket.
She described his natural athlete who can pick up a ball of any size, bat or club, and play football, cricket and Rugby at a high level.
Cantwell played for cork athletic and West ham United before joining, “West ham”, at the age of 17 years – lying about his date of birth so he could sign, Kate showed.
He scored 16 goals during his 245 League, and in 1960, at the age of 29, he was snapped up by legendary coach of “Manchester United”, sir Matt Busby, for £29,500 — and then to write the entire back — and was a key player as Busby rebuilt his squad after the Munich air crash.
He scored 19 goals in 121 League match during his seven-year career at old Trafford, captain United in the 1963 FA Cup and winning the championship in 1965 and 1967.
Noel Cantwell
He won 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland in the period between 1953 and 1967, scoring 14 goals during his international career.
He later managed Coventry city and then Peterborough United, winning the fourth division championship and ensure its promotion in 1972-73 season, he coached in the United States, winning the Eastern division championship of the North American soccer League with the New England tea men in 1978, before returning to Peterborough.
“But if you ask my dad where his house is, he would have said cork,” said Kate.
Slit played cricket for Ireland five times between his debut against Scotland in 1956, and his last game in 1959.
“He used to get into trouble with sir Matt Busby, because my father wanted to spend the summer traveling around Ireland and abroad for cricket,” said Kate.
David Griffin, Treasurer of the cork County Cricket club, described Cantwell as a very free, a stroke-making batsman and a brilliant fielder.
He was so good, he approached Essex with a professional contract, but Kate said he refused because that would mean no summer trip to cork.
She also told how she used to pick up the ashes of his father from the buffet and pop it into the urn in front of the TV for good luck during the big game, more recently, the Manchester Derby.
“When I got my dad for half the time to create a little magic, well, sorry, Mr. Mourinho, I think your luck may just run out”, she joked.
The sisters said their mother, Maggie, who died at the end of last year, fighting for life after Noelle died, and never wanted to let him go.
They discussed their hopes to bring the ashes of his father home to cork, when they all attended the opening in 2015 Noel Cantwell to go next.
“She said ‘I think it’s time,” Kate said.
2.51 update: ashes of the famous Irish athlete Noel Cantwell scattered in County cork Cricket club
Ash Irish athlete Noel Cantwell were distributed in Cork, steps from where he grew up, writes Steve Neville.
Cantwell was captain of “Manchester United” in 1963, victory in the FA Cup and won 36 caps for Ireland, scoring 14 goals in a brilliant career.
Died in 2015 at the age of 73 years, ash slit was kept by his wife, Maggie, at his home in London. After she died in the end of last year, their daughter Kate and Liz – requested that the ashes be scattered slit in the cork County cricket club.
Slit played cricket on top of his football career. He batted for Ireland, scoring 48 runs in two innings.
Today, slit stopped at his final resting place, his ashes scattered at the famous old cricket club.
Previously: ash Irish athlete and former captain of “Manchester United” were dispelled today in cork
Ash Irish athlete and former captain of “Manchester United” will be scattered in the tube this afternoon, writes Steve Neville.
Noel Cantwell, who died in 2005 at the age of 73 years, was a cricketer before becoming a football star – winning 36 caps for Ireland and scored 14 goals.
Cantwell played for cork athletic before joining, “West ham”, team captain on two division championship in 1958. Then he joined the “Manchester United”, after spending six seasons at Manchester United and leading the side to victory in the FA Cup in 1963.
Noel Cantwell with the FA Cup in 1963. He was the captain of “Manchester United” in the final tournament, which they won 3-1 against Leicester city.
He signed a contract with the red Devils for £29,500 – a record at the time on his back.
Left the dust player should be scattered on the Cricket club in Mardan, tube starting his career.
Today at 2pm, daughters, Cantwell – Kate and Liz will bring his ashes with cricket club.
Ashes the legend of the red had stored his wife, Maggie, at his home in London. After she died in the end of last year, their daughter asked to slit the ashes to be scattered in the cricket club.
Slit used to play cricket for Ireland, scoring 48 runs in two innings.
In 2015, Cantwell was awarded the plugs after a track near his childhood home was named in his honor.
Noel Cantwell walk was presented on Maradyke family was deeply moved at that time.
At the exhibition opening, his wife Maggie Cantwell hails as “a true son of cork.”
His sportsmanship, not to dwell on football and cricket, Cantwell also won the Munster Junior Cup by cork Con in 1951.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
