Player Articles

Shay Brennan

Shay Brennan

Seamus Anthony Brennan, born Manchester, England, May 6, 1937. Shay Brennan joined Manchester United as an apprentice in December 1953 and signed his first professional contract with the club in April 1955. While at Old Trafford, Brennan amassed over 300 first-class appearances between 1957 and 1970.

Mancunian Shay Brennan leapt into the public consciousness when the player was handed his first team debut for Manchester United by assistant-manager Jimmy Murphy in a 3-0 FA Cup Fifth Round win against fellow First Division outfit Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford on the 19th of February 1958, hitting two of the goals. A reliable and robust right fullback, he managed to establish himself as a first-choice regular the following year and clocked up a total of 32 appearances for the club in all competitions during the 1959-60 season. He continued to thrive under the sound leadership of imposing, but mild mannered, head coach Matt Busby and was an important part of the side which won the First Division Championship in 1964-65 and 1966-67, as well as the European Cup in 1967-68. Arguably, Brennan´s greatest achievement as a professional footballer was his ability to stand out in a Manchester United team which included high profile names such as George Best, Bobby Charlton, Paddy Crerand, Bill Foulkes, Denis Law, and David Sadler. In the 12 years that his name appeared on the books of United, he managed to make an impressive 355 Football League outings for the team before he ultimately decided to leave Old Trafford midway through the 1969-70 campaign. He later made a move to ambitious League of Ireland outfit Waterford United whom he helped win the League of Ireland Championship in both 1972 and 1973. Shay Brennan, who was once called the Dean Martin of football by Wilf McGuinness, also enjoyed a fine international career, collecting a total of 19 full caps for the Republic of Ireland. The impeccable performer was given his senior debut in a 1-0 World Cup Qualifier triumph over Spain at Dalymount Park on the 5th of May 1965, and played his last match for The Boys in Green in a 3-0 European Championship Qualifier loss to Italy at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on the 8th of December 1970. A long serving stalwart, Brennan was the first ever player in the long history of Manchester United to receive a pension from the club, and he had his testimonial when Shamrock Rovers beat The Reds 2–0 in front of a 10,000 crowd at Glenmalure Park in Milltown on the 14th of August 1986. Shay Brennan Playing Career: Manchester United, Waterford United.