The FAI has paid tribute to former Republic of Ireland international, Martin Colfer, who passed away last weekend. A prolific striker during his time with St James Gate and Shelbourne, the Dubliner was capped twice at senior level, away to Belgium in May 1950 and Norway the following year, while also gaining inter-league honours on seven occasions.

He was on the losing side in two FAI cup finals with Shelbourne but helped them to the league title in 1952/52 and he was the club’s top scorer in three of the seven seasons he played for them. FAI chief executive John Delaney describes him as having been “a fantastic servant to Irish football.”

Colfer is survived by his sons and daughters: Carmel (Dillon), Paul, Patricia, Catherine and Brendan as well as his sister Kitty (Cleary) and brother Donal, who himself played football for Dublin before becoming, in the 1970s, a selector for the team during Kevin Heffernan’s much celebrated time in charge.

His funeral mass will take place at Mount Jerome at 11.30 on Tuesday, September 29th.