Captain Seamus Coleman and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly recently surprised a long-serving member of Everton staff by handing her a commemorative Republic of Ireland cap acknowledging her late father’s international football career.
Nicola McMahon, part of the First Team Operations Department based at Finch Farm, is the daughter of former Everton and Republic of Ireland defender Tommy Clinton.
🇮🇪 | Seamus Coleman and @Keepingskills recently surprised a long-serving member of #EFC staff by handing her a commemorative @FAIreland cap acknowledging her late father’s international career. 💙 pic.twitter.com/vPB51yGnBd
— Everton (@Everton) February 9, 2023
Full-back Tommy joined the Blues from Dundalk in March 1948 and made his debut against Burnley 11 months later, eventually leaving for Blackburn Rovers in 1955.
During his time with Everton, Dublin-born Clinton made three appearances for the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately, his caps were later misplaced.
On learning about the missing keepsakes, Kelly, who has 35 Republic of Ireland caps of his own and has also worked as part of the nation’s coaching team, contacted the FAI to see if there was anything they could do.
He then worked with them to create a special green cap with a gold number three and the lettering FAI MNT (men’s national team) on the front.
On its arrival, he enlisted the help of current Everton and Republic of Ireland skipper Coleman to hand it over, prompting emotional scenes at the Club training ground.
Nic, who last September celebrated 40 years working at Everton in various departments, said: “Everton is a massive family and is a huge part of my family too; my mum, husband and daughter have all worked here, and my brother-in-law played for the Club.
“I can’t believe what Alan has done for me and can’t thank him enough. It’s such a thoughtful gesture and, receiving it on behalf of Dad, who sadly passed away in 2009, was a really special moment.
“When I took the cap home to my daughters and husband, they were all delighted too. We’re going to put it in a proper display case in the lounge.”
Kelly added: “Nic’s a really popular member of staff here at Everton and after hearing her Dad’s story, I wanted to try to get something for her and her family to remember his international career by.
“I must thank everybody at the FAI, particularly Cathal Dervan, who helped organise this wonderful gesture. To see Nic’s reaction, and the smile on Seamus’s face, too, made it worthwhile.”
