NI and Aston Villa legend Peter McParland laid to rest in home city of Newry

Belfast Telegraph

4 hours ago

The former forward, who won 34 caps and holds the record for most goals scored for his country at World Cup finals, was laid to rest following Requiem Mass in his home city of Newry yesterday.
Mourners who gathered in St Mary's Church on Chapel Street were reminded of the five goals the last surviving member of the 1958 squad scored during the international tournament to help his country reach the quarter-finals.
The parish priest recalled how the retired sportsman, who passed away peacefully on May 4 at the age of 91, had a deep affection, which was passed down to him, for 'The Villans'.
'His father worked in Birmingham during the Second World War and sent many reports home. In those days you wrote letters, and he would send home reports of Aston Villa, fuelling Peter's affection for the club,' the cleric said.
McParland was an iconic figure for Aston Villa, scoring 121 goals in 341 appearances. He scored twice in the 1957 FA Cup final, helping the club secure a 2-1 win over Manchester United, which was the last time the club lifted the coveted trophy.
Hailing the deceased as an 'outstanding man', the priest spoke of the footballer's journey from being scouted to spending just one day with Leeds United.
'He was only a teenager when he was signed in Dundalk after someone watched him play in Newry. In his first game for Dundalk against Bohemians, he scored twice,' the cleric continued.
'In 1951, Leeds offered him a month's trial, but he was homesick, and he said to his family: 'They didn't call me for Mass in the morning. I'm going home.' And he did. He stayed for a day with Leeds.
'He got a job in the railway company in Dundalk and continued playing for Dundalk. He went on a trip to Birmingham to play with Newry Shamrocks and he was spotted by a Villa scout.
'They alerted Villa and paid Dundalk the princely sum of £4,000.'
The priest added: 'In 1957, Aston Villa were mid-table of the league. Manchester United had charged through the league and were favourites to win the FA Cup, where they would play Aston Villa.
'After six minutes, Peter headed a ball towards the goalmouth and the goalkeeper fumbled the ball. Peter charged on, and the ball, Peter and the goalkeeper finished in the back of the net.
'He went on to score a second goal and Villa won the FA Cup.'
In his later years, the NI footballer played in Canada and the United States and joined Glentoran in 1968, spending three years as player-manager, winning the Irish League at the first attempt.
After retiring from playing in 1971, he went on to coach in Libya, Hong Kong, Cyprus, and Kuwait.
The priest reflected on how Peter was a guest of honour at Aston Villa's 150th anniversary celebrations in January this year, and quoted him saying: 'My ambition was to play for Aston Villa and I achieved it. I loved playing for the club. It was my life.'
Prayers were offered for Peter's wife, Carol, who was unable to attend the funeral due to illness.
Condolences were also offered to his children, Nicholas and Paul, his four grandchildren, and his siblings, before Peter's ashes were buried in the adjoining cemetery.