RIP Big Mac

[Duncer]

I'm devastated to hear of the premature death of Alan McDonald while playing golf. He was only 48 and is a Northern Ireland legend.

I had the plasure of playing in the same Torheath Rangers side in the Dundonald Floodlit League many years ago when Alan proved himself a very capable striker. He was also an absolute gentleman and I had the utmost respect for him in my dealings with him over the last lot of years.

[mightyWBA]

Very sad news Duncer.
Alan was on Talksport only a few weeks ago.
A fine servant for Northern Ireland and QPR.

[beejay1124]

totally agree with you both-met him a few weeks back at a funeral of an ex teammate of his in our town-and 2 weekends ago he was at a mates stag do-a real gentleman-and so proud to represent N Ireland

[Duncer]

MightyWBA - I'm going to show my age here, but I remember the big chap winning the League Cup with QPR the year they beat Oxford 3-0 in the final, and I was torn because Oxford had ex-Linfield player Billy Hamilton in their side.

Imagine a final with those two in it these days? Jeez, I sound like my da!

[joeluke]

As a young boy I remember watching Alan McDonald play for NI schoolboys (under 16 I think) against England schoolboys at Carlisles Brunton Park, can't remember the score but Norman Whiteside and Mark Walters played too

A wholehearted defender who never gave less than 100%

48 is no age, RIP Alan

[Duncer]

Joeluke, are you sure big Norman played in that game? He was a year or two behind Mac, although he was so prolific that he may well have done. Did we win, (he asks, expecting the answer "no")?

I know that Norman Whiteside was in a NI schoolboy side that won a tournament at Maine Road as I can remember watching brief highlights of that game.

[joeluke]

Duncer...McDonald was 18 months older than Whiteside but I'm almost sure they both played in that game, Whiteside was very precocious and so would have been a year younger than the rest of his team mates (he was born in 1965 so would have been 14 at the time.

It was in 1979, see link for the only info I can find about the game on the internet. From vague memory I think England won 1-0.

http://www.carlisleun...ay_521394/index.shtml