Jim McLaughlin Remembered: “He Was Just a Genius, an Absolute Genius”
Dundalk and the wider football community have bid a heartfelt farewell to Jim McLaughlin, a man celebrated as the greatest manager in the history of the League of Ireland. Mourners gathered in Blackrock, Dundalk, today to pay their final respects, while tributes continue to pour in for the legendary figure who transformed Irish football.
Jim McLaughlin’s remarkable career is marked by an unparalleled string of successes. He led Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, and Derry City to multiple league titles and cup victories, etching his name in the annals of Irish football history. Under his guidance, Dundalk secured three league championships and three FAI Cups, including the memorable double in the 1978/79 season. At Shamrock Rovers, McLaughlin’s influence brought three league titles and two FAI Cups in the early 1980s. Perhaps his most iconic achievement was leading Derry City to a historic treble in 1989, a feat that remains unmatched.
Liam Coyle, who made his senior debut under McLaughlin at Derry City in 1988, spoke with deep admiration for his former manager, hailing him as a genius. “He was just a genius, he was an absolute genius,” Coyle said. “Jim was way ahead of his time, long before all the psychological approaches became popular in football. He had this unique ability to talk to players, making them believe they were better than they thought they were. He was always positive, always encouraging, and that’s what made him so special.”
Jim McLaughlin’s football journey began as a 16-year-old playing for Derry City. His career as a player took him to Birmingham City, Swansea City, Shrewsbury Town, and Peterborough United. He famously scored at the Kop end of Anfield in the FA Cup quarter-final of 1964, as Swansea stunned Liverpool. On the international stage, McLaughlin earned 12 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring six goals.
Returning to Derry City as manager in 1986, McLaughlin’s impact was immediate. He built a championship-winning team, combining seasoned players from Shamrock Rovers with young local talents. Coyle, reflecting on those years, dismissed the notion that McLaughlin “bought the league” with Derry. Instead, he highlighted how McLaughlin’s managerial brilliance turned a mix of youth and experience into treble-winning champions.
“Jim was just unbelievable. He took young players, many of them from Derry, and turned them into treble-winning players. That’s the sign of a great manager,” Coyle emphasized.
Jim McLaughlin’s funeral in Blackrock was a solemn occasion, yet a celebration of a man whose legacy in Irish football will never be forgotten. As Coyle poignantly put it, “He was understated in his manner, but his legacy will be far from undervalued.”
McLaughlin was not just a master tactician; he was also a gentleman with a sharp wit, who lived for football. “I can’t speak more highly of him,” Coyle concluded. “Even after 35 years, the respect I have for him has never diminished.”
Jim McLaughlin’s name will forever be synonymous with excellence in Irish football, and his contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.