Peter Farrell
Encyclopedia
Peter Desmond Farrell was an Irish footballer
who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers
, Everton
and Tranmere Rovers
. As an international, Farrell also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
. In 1949 he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England
2–0
at Goodison Park
, becoming the first non-UK
team to beat England at home. Farrell’s playing career followed a similar path to that of Tommy Eglington
. As well as teaming up at international level, they also played together at three different clubs.
and was educated at Harold Boy's National School and Dun Laoghaire
CBS
which he won a scholarship to. He was playing football with Cabinteely Schoolboys when spotted by a Shamrock Rovers
scout and subsequently joined Rovers on his 17th birthday in August 1939. Among his early team-mates was the veteran Jimmy Dunne
. With a team that also included Jimmy Kelly
, Tommy Eglington
, Jimmy McAlinden
and Paddy Coad
, Farrell later helped Rovers reach three successive FAI Cup
finals. They won the competition in 1944 and 1945 and finished as runners up in 1946.
, Farrell signed for Everton
. In eleven seasons with the club he played 421 league games and scored 14 goals. He also played a further 31 games in the FA Cup
and scored a further 4 goals. In 1951 he was appointed Everton captain and during the 1953-54 season he led them to the runners up place in the Second Division, thus gaining promotion to the First Division
. During his time with the club his team mates, apart from Eglington, also included Alex Stevenson
, Peter Corr
, Harry Catterick
, Wally Fielding
, Tommy E. Jones
, Brian Labone
and Dave Hickson
.
in October 1957 and followed Tommy Eglington
to Tranmere Rovers
where he became player-manger. He played 114 league games for Tranmere, before leaving in December 1960. After a spell as manager at Sligo Rovers
, Farrell became manager of Holyhead Town and, helped by a number of former Everton and Tranmere players, he guided them to the Welsh League (North)
title. After leaving Holyhead, he returned to Ireland
and managed St. Patrick's Athletic. He also managed his own insurance business.
- based IFA
and the Republic of Ireland
- based FAI
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Farrell, played for both teams.
, he captained the FAI XI on his international debut on 16 June 1946, against Portugal
. On 21 September 1949, together with Johnny Carey
and Con Martin
, he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England
2–0
at Goodison Park
, becoming the first non-UK
team to beat England at home. After Martin had put the FAI XI ahead with a penalty in the 33rd minute, Farrell made victory certain in the 85th minute. Tommy O'Connor
slipped the ball to Farrell and as the English goalkeeper Bert Williams
advanced, Farrell calmly and coolly lofted the ball into the unguarded net. He scored his second goal for the FAI XI on 9 October 1949 a in 1-1 draw with Finland
, a qualifier for the 1950 FIFA World Cup
. His third goal came on 30 May 1951 as Farrell scored the opening goal in a 3-2 win against Norway
.
between 1946 and 1949. On 27 November 1946 he made his debut for the IFA XI in a 0-0 draw with Scotland
. Together with Johnny Carey
, Con Martin
, Bill Gorman
, Tommy Eglington
, Alex Stevenson
and Davy Walsh
, he was one of seven players born in the Irish Free State
to play for the IFA XI that day. The draw helped the team finish as runners-up in the 1947 British Home Championship
. Farrell also helped the IFA XI gain some other respectable results, including a 2-0 win against Scotland
on 4 October 1947 and a 2-2 draw with England
at Goodison Park
on 5 November 1947.
Shamrock Rovers
Ireland
Everton
Manager
Holyhead Town
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
, Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
and Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. As an international, Farrell also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
. In 1949 he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
2–0
England v Ireland (1949)
England v Ireland. On 21 September 1949 at Goodison Park, Liverpool, the home of Everton, England were defeated 2-0 by Ireland in a friendly international...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, becoming the first non-UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
team to beat England at home. Farrell’s playing career followed a similar path to that of Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
. As well as teaming up at international level, they also played together at three different clubs.
Shamrock Rovers
Farrell was born and raised in the Convent Road area of DalkeyDalkey
Dalkey is suburb of Dublin and seaside resort in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland. It was founded as a Viking settlement and became an important port during the Middle Ages. According to John Clyn, it was one of the ports through which the plague entered Ireland in the mid-14th century...
and was educated at Harold Boy's National School and Dun Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
CBS
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
which he won a scholarship to. He was playing football with Cabinteely Schoolboys when spotted by a Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
scout and subsequently joined Rovers on his 17th birthday in August 1939. Among his early team-mates was the veteran Jimmy Dunne
Jimmy Dunne
James Dunne , commonly referred to as Jimmy Dunne, was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton...
. With a team that also included Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Kelly (Irish footballer)
Jimmy Kelly was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952...
, Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
, Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden
Jimmy McAlinden was an Irish footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, most notably, Belfast Celtic, Portsmouth, Shamrock Rovers and Southend United. As an international, McAlinden also played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI...
and Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad is a former Irish football player and manager. He played as a forward for Waterford United, Glenavon, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. Although known, primarily, as a maker of goals, Coad scored 126 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 41 in the FAI Cup. In 1946-47 he was top...
, Farrell later helped Rovers reach three successive FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
finals. They won the competition in 1944 and 1945 and finished as runners up in 1946.
Everton
In July 1946, together with Tommy EglingtonTommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
, Farrell signed for Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. In eleven seasons with the club he played 421 league games and scored 14 goals. He also played a further 31 games in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
and scored a further 4 goals. In 1951 he was appointed Everton captain and during the 1953-54 season he led them to the runners up place in the Second Division, thus gaining promotion to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. During his time with the club his team mates, apart from Eglington, also included Alex Stevenson
Alex Stevenson
Alexander Ernest Stevenson was an Irish footballer who played for Rangers and Everton, amongst other teams. As an international, Stevenson also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Peter Corr
Peter Corr
Peter Joseph Corr was an Irish footballer. Corr played as an outside-right for, among others, Everton and Ireland. In 1949 he was a member of the Ireland team that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home...
, Harry Catterick
Harry Catterick
Harry Catterick was an English football player and manager. As a player Catterick played for Everton and Crewe Alexandra, in a career that was interrupted by World War II, but he is most notable as a manager...
, Wally Fielding
Wally Fielding
Wally Fielding was a professional footballer from 1945 until 1960.In 1945, after leaving the Army, Fielding was signed by Everton manager Theo Kelly having been a youth amateur player for Charlton Athletic F.C....
, Tommy E. Jones
Tommy E. Jones
Thomas Edwin Jones , known as Tommy E Jones or T. E. Jones to distinguish him from T. G. Jones, was an English former footballer who played for Everton from 1950 until 1961....
, Brian Labone
Brian Labone
Brian Leslie Labone was an English footballer who played for and captained Everton. A one-club man, Labone's professional career lasted from 1958 to 1971, during which he won the Football League championship twice and the FA Cup once...
and Dave Hickson
Dave Hickson
David "Dave" Hickson is an ex-football player, who played for Everton, Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers.-Club career:...
.
Later years
Farrell left EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
in October 1957 and followed Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
to Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
where he became player-manger. He played 114 league games for Tranmere, before leaving in December 1960. After a spell as manager at Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
, Farrell became manager of Holyhead Town and, helped by a number of former Everton and Tranmere players, he guided them to the Welsh League (North)
Welsh Football League
The Welsh Football League is a club football league in Wales. Division One of the Welsh Football League is at Level 2 of the Welsh football league system, immediately below the national Welsh Premier League.The Welsh Football League's history stretches back to 1904 when the competition was first...
title. After leaving Holyhead, he returned to Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and managed St. Patrick's Athletic. He also managed his own insurance business.
Ireland international
When Farrell began his international career in 1946 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
- based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
- based FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Farrell, played for both teams.
FAI XI
Farrell made 28 appearances and scored 3 goals for the FAI XI. While still at Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
, he captained the FAI XI on his international debut on 16 June 1946, against Portugal
Portugal national football team
The Portugal national football team represents Portugal in association football and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation, the governing body for football in Portugal. Portugal's home ground is Estádio Nacional in Oeiras, and their head coach is Paulo Bento...
. On 21 September 1949, together with Johnny Carey
Johnny Carey
John Joseph "Johnny" Carey , also known as Jackie Carey, was an Irish footballer and manager. As a player Carey spent most of his career at Manchester United, where he was team captain from 1946 until he retired as a player in 1953...
and Con Martin
Con Martin
Cornelius Joseph Martin , commonly referred to as Con Martin, is a former Irish footballer. Martin initially played Gaelic football with Dublin before switching codes and embarking on a successful soccer career, playing for, among others, Drumcondra, Glentoran, Leeds United and Aston Villa...
, he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
2–0
England v Ireland (1949)
England v Ireland. On 21 September 1949 at Goodison Park, Liverpool, the home of Everton, England were defeated 2-0 by Ireland in a friendly international...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, becoming the first non-UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
team to beat England at home. After Martin had put the FAI XI ahead with a penalty in the 33rd minute, Farrell made victory certain in the 85th minute. Tommy O'Connor
Tommy O'Connor
Thomas O'Connor , also known as Tommy O'Connor or Tom O'Connor, was an Irish footballer who played for Shamrock Rovers...
slipped the ball to Farrell and as the English goalkeeper Bert Williams
Bert Williams (footballer)
Bert Frederick Williams MBE is a former English international football goalkeeper. Nicknamed The Cat, he spent the majority of his playing career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won the League Championship and FA Cup....
advanced, Farrell calmly and coolly lofted the ball into the unguarded net. He scored his second goal for the FAI XI on 9 October 1949 a in 1-1 draw with Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
, a qualifier for the 1950 FIFA World Cup
1950 FIFA World Cup qualification
-First round:Syria withdrew, and remaining match was not played.Turkey advanced to the Final Round.-Final round:Austria withdrew, so Turkey qualified automatically. But Turkey later also withdrew, and FIFA offered the place to Portugal, the runner-up of Group 6, but they declined...
. His third goal came on 30 May 1951 as Farrell scored the opening goal in a 3-2 win against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
.
IFA XI
Farrell also made 7 appearances for the IFA XIIreland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
between 1946 and 1949. On 27 November 1946 he made his debut for the IFA XI in a 0-0 draw with Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. Together with Johnny Carey
Johnny Carey
John Joseph "Johnny" Carey , also known as Jackie Carey, was an Irish footballer and manager. As a player Carey spent most of his career at Manchester United, where he was team captain from 1946 until he retired as a player in 1953...
, Con Martin
Con Martin
Cornelius Joseph Martin , commonly referred to as Con Martin, is a former Irish footballer. Martin initially played Gaelic football with Dublin before switching codes and embarking on a successful soccer career, playing for, among others, Drumcondra, Glentoran, Leeds United and Aston Villa...
, Bill Gorman
Bill Gorman
William Charles Gorman , commonly referred to as Bill Gorman, is a former Irish footballer who played for, among others, Bury and Brentford. Gorman was a dual internationalist who also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
, Alex Stevenson
Alex Stevenson
Alexander Ernest Stevenson was an Irish footballer who played for Rangers and Everton, amongst other teams. As an international, Stevenson also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
and Davy Walsh
Davy Walsh
David Joseph Walsh , commonly referred to as Davy Walsh or Dave Walsh, is a former Irish footballer who played as a centre forward for, among others, Linfield, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. Walsh was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, he was one of seven players born in the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
to play for the IFA XI that day. The draw helped the team finish as runners-up in the 1947 British Home Championship
1947 British Home Championship
The 1947 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1946–47 seasons, the first professional football seasons in Britain since the end of the Second World War...
. Farrell also helped the IFA XI gain some other respectable results, including a 2-0 win against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
on 4 October 1947 and a 2-2 draw with England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
on 5 November 1947.
Honours
PlayerShamrock Rovers
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Winners 1944, 1945: 2
Ireland
- British Home ChampionshipBritish Home ChampionshipThe British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
- Runners Up 1946-471947 British Home ChampionshipThe 1947 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1946–47 seasons, the first professional football seasons in Britain since the end of the Second World War...
1
- Runners Up 1946-47
Everton
- Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
- Runners Up 1953-54
Manager
Holyhead Town
- Welsh League (North)Welsh Football LeagueThe Welsh Football League is a club football league in Wales. Division One of the Welsh Football League is at Level 2 of the Welsh football league system, immediately below the national Welsh Premier League.The Welsh Football League's history stretches back to 1904 when the competition was first...
- Winners 1962: 1
Sources
- Who’s Who Of Everton (2004): Tony Matthews http://www.shop-com.co.uk/op/~Who's_Who_of_Everton_(Hardback)_Tony_Matthews-prod-25696581?sourceid=363
- The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392