Tommy Muldoon
Encyclopedia
Thomas Patrick Muldoon was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Athlone Town
and Aston Villa
. As an international he also played for the Irish Free State and represented them at the 1924 Olympics Games
.
and subsequently served in British India.
. In 1924 he helped them win the FAI Cup
, beating Bohemians
and Shelbourne
in early rounds, before defeating Fordsons
in final. Together with Dinny Hannon
, Frank Ghent, Paddy Reilly and John Joe Dykes, Muldoon was one of five Athlone Town players subsequently included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics Games
.
In October 1924 Muldoon signed for Aston Villa
and went on to make 34 first team appearances during his three year stay. In September 1927 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur
but failed to make the first XI. In July 1929 he returned to the Midlands where he played over 50 league games for Walsall
.
, he made his debut for the Free State against Bulgaria
in their first ever senior international on May 28. At the same tournament he also played against the Netherlands
on June 2.
Then on the following day, Muldoon played against Estonia
in a friendly.
On June 14, 1924 he played in another friendly against the United States
in a 3-1 win at Dalymount Park
.
His last international appearance was in the 2-1 defeat to Italy B
on April 23, 1927. Together with Mick O'Brien, Harry Duggan
and Joe Kendrick
, he became one of the first four English League based players to play for the Irish Free State.
. Muldoon was injured during the game and finished it as a limping passenger.
Athlone Town A.F.C.
Athlone Town F.C. is an Irish football club from Athlone, playing in the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1887. First elected to the League of Ireland in 1922, they play their home matches in Lissywoollen their new stadium which opened in 2007...
and Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. As an international he also played for the Irish Free State and represented them at the 1924 Olympics Games
Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....
.
Early years
Muldoon initially attended Deer Park National School in Athlone before completing his education, between 1912 and 1914, at St. Mary’s Intermediate School. During the First World War he joined the Royal Leicestershire RegimentRoyal Leicestershire Regiment
The Royal Leicestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, with a history going back to 1688. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into The Royal Anglian Regiment in 1964.-1688 - 1881:...
and subsequently served in British India.
Club career
After the War, Muldoon began playing football for Athlone TownAthlone Town A.F.C.
Athlone Town F.C. is an Irish football club from Athlone, playing in the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1887. First elected to the League of Ireland in 1922, they play their home matches in Lissywoollen their new stadium which opened in 2007...
. In 1924 he helped them win the 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...
, beating Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
and Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
in early rounds, before defeating Fordsons
Fordsons F.C.
Fordsons Football Club is a former Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1924 and 1930. The club was originally the factory team of the Ford Motor Company, a major employer in the city at that time and was named after the Fordson tractor, resulting in the...
in final. Together with Dinny Hannon
Dinny Hannon
Denis J. Hannon , also known as Dinny Hannon or Dinney Hannon, was an Irish footballer who played as an inside-right for both Bohemians and Athlone Town. Hannon was also a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. He was the first player ever to do this...
, Frank Ghent, Paddy Reilly and John Joe Dykes, Muldoon was one of five Athlone Town players subsequently included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics Games
Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....
.
In October 1924 Muldoon signed for Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and went on to make 34 first team appearances during his three year stay. In September 1927 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
but failed to make the first XI. In July 1929 he returned to the Midlands where he played over 50 league games for Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
.
Irish international
Between 1924 and 1927 Muldoon made 5 appearances for the Irish Free State. As a member of the squad that competed at the 1924 Olympics GamesIreland at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....
, he made his debut for the Free State against Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
in their first ever senior international on May 28. At the same tournament he also played against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
on June 2.
Then on the following day, Muldoon played against Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....
in a friendly.
On June 14, 1924 he played in another friendly against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in a 3-1 win at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
.
His last international appearance was in the 2-1 defeat to Italy B
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
on April 23, 1927. Together with Mick O'Brien, Harry Duggan
Harry Duggan (footballer)
Henry Anthony Duggan , commonly referred to as Harry Duggan, is a former Irish footballer. Described as a talented and speedy right winger, he played for both Leeds United and Newport County...
and Joe Kendrick
Joe Kendrick Sr.
Joe Kendrick was an Irish footballer who played for Brooklyn F.C., Everton and Dolphins. As an international he also played for the Irish Free State. In 1924 Kendrick was member of the Irish Free State team when it made its competitive debut at Olympics Games...
, he became one of the first four English League based players to play for the Irish Free State.
. Muldoon was injured during the game and finished it as a limping passenger.