After a brief spell in South Africa, Hand was persuaded back into football by Shamrock Rovers making his debut on 9 October 1977 at Glenmalure Park.

He immediately sparked a revival in Limerick's fortunes and they won the 1979–80 League of Ireland in Hand's first season.

They landed a European Cup tie with Real Madrid and Hand was rewarded with the Irish national team manager's job.

In Hand's first World Cup qualifying campaign, Ireland narrowly lost out to France on goal difference.

[3] Ireland finished an unremarkable third in the qualifying campaign for Euro 84 and, shortly afterwards, Hand combined club and international management again when he was appointed manager of St Patrick's Athletic FC, however, he stayed only one season with the Dublin club.

His managerial contract was finished when he failed to qualify for the 1986 World Cup; he was replaced by Jack Charlton.

[6] During his tenure as career guidance officer, Hand played a key role in the campaign by Crumlin United to secure a portion of the £7m transfer of Robbie Keane from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur under the FIFA Solidarity Mechanism.

[8] He is heavily involved in his passion for playing music and devoting his spare time to raising funds for charities.