On Tuesday we learnt of the sad death of Leo Ward, co-founder of the Ward Anderson cinema chain, at the formidable age of 94. Currently in the midst of come internal convulsions, that company manages around half the cinemas in the state, including the Savoy in central Dublin.

Leo’s first passion was football. Born in Fairview, one of 10 children, he signed to Manchester City in the 1930s (and just lived long enough to see his team regain the top title). When the war started, he returned to Ireland and played for a spell in the League of Ireland.

In 1949, he formed Ward Anderson with Kevin Anderson, his half-brother, and six years later they purchased their first cinema in Lucan. They went on to become two of the wealthiest men in the state. The company remains in family hands.