AN exhibition telling the story of an Irish footballer credited with saving FC Barcelona from bankruptcy has opened at Stormont.
Patrick O'Connell's life is being told in a series of paintings and photographs in a display launched yesterday at the Long Gallery.
'The Man Who Saved FC Barcelona - the story of Patrick O'Connell' will run for two weeks before it moves to the National football museum in Manchester.
It tells the remarkable story of a man whose career began at Belfast Celtic and who later became the first Irishman to captain Manchester United before moving to Spain where he rose to become a revered figure in the history of Barcelona football club.
Dedicated to the man who led Ireland to its first football title, the exhibition has been organised by the Patrick O'Connell Memorial Fund, which was established to remember the footballer, and sponsored by Sinn Féin assembly member Fra McCann.
Originally from Dublin, O'Connell lived in Albert Street in the lower Falls area where his first son was born as he played for Belfast Celtic.
He was captain of the Ireland team which secured the British Home Championship at Windsor Park in 1914 and was the first Irishman to captain Manchester United.
When he guided Real Betis to victory in 1934/35 he became the the only Irish manager to win a La Liga title, having clinched the second division championship with the club three years earlier.
He then managed FC Barcelona from 1935 to 1940 and is credited with saving the club from financial ruin during the Spanish Civil War.
In 1937, O'Connell was given the title of honorary consul by the last republican government of Spain. He later moved to London where he died destitute in 1959, with his legacy almost forgotten until recent years.
The exhibition charts McConnell's story from Belfast to Barcelona, featuring details and photographs of the footballer.
Paintings of O'Connell and three other official Irish club captains of Manchester United Football Club, Jackie Carey, Noel Cantwell and Roy Keane, are on display.
A replica of a painting presented to FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeau in 2015 by the Patrick O'Connell Fund at the footballer's induction into the hall of fame at Camp Nou is also part of the exhibition.
The Irish Cup from the 1800's, which O'Connell played for with Belfast Celtic and his Irish cap from the 1914 British Home Championship victory is on display as well as photographs of the legends who supported the memorial fund during their campaign, including the late Johan Cruyff.
