Damien Duff paid a heartfelt tribute to Alan McLoughlin and Alan Keely after they both passed away in recent days.
Duff made his Ireland debut in 1998 and McLoughlin's 42-cap international career ended the following year.
The 42-year-old said that McLoughlin's goal in Windsor Park that got Ireland to USA '94 was an inspiration to him and a generation of young footballers.
"Yeah listen, Alan was an absolute gentleman, a class act," said Duff on RTE after McLoughlin's death at the age of 54 earlier today.
"We kind of overlapped. When I was starting off he was finishing off.
"And him and quite a few others inspired a generation, it's the reason why I played football, with his goal qualifying us for the '94 World Cup, that famous night in Windsor Park.
"I remember distinctly where I was. So a very sad day."
Former Ireland assistant coach Duff also paid tribute to Keely, the former Shels, Finn Harps and Waterford player, who died suddenly on Monday.
Alan's father, the former Shamrock Rovers star and former Shelbourne manager Dermot, taught Duff in school.
"I'd have to say it's a very sad day for Dermot Keely as well, he was my teacher in school, business studies, a great character," acknowledged Duff.
"No father should bury his son, so yeah, a very sad day and I send my condolences to both families."
