Tommy O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Thomas O'Connor also known as Tommy O'Connor or Tom O'Connor, was an Irish footballer
who played for Shamrock Rovers
. On September 21, 1949, together with Con Martin
, Johnny Carey
and Peter Farrell
, he was also 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.
O'Connor first attracted attention while playing for Shamrock Rovers
in the early part of the 1948-49 season. His impressive performances for Rovers led him to making four appearances for Ireland in 1949. He made his international debut on September 8, 1949 in a 3-0 win against Finland
at Dalymount Park
. The game was a 1950 World Cup qualifier
and O'Connor put in an impressive performance, helping the Irish win 3-0. Despite this he was considered a surprise choice for the game against England
and was selected ahead of both Tommy Eglington
and Jackie O'Driscoll
. Together with Tommy Godwin
, he was one of two Shamrock Rovers
players in the Irish line-up at Goodison Park
and both played their part in the 2-0 win. While Godwin was outstanding goal, O'Connor set up both the Irish goals. Ireland took the lead in the 33rd minute when Peter Desmond
, after collecting a pass from O'Connor, burst into the England penalty area and was brought down. Con Martin
then converted the subsequent penalty kick. Then in the 85th O'Connor slipped the ball to Peter Farrell
and as the English goalkeeper Bert Williams
advanced, Farrell calmly and coolly lofted the ball into the unguarded net.
After the game Godwin and O'Connor travelled back to Dublin by ferry with the Irish fans. While Godwin was subsequently signed by Leicester City
, O'Connor returned to Rovers and his job as a typesetter with the Irish Times. He made his third appearance for Ireland on October 9 in the return game against Finland
which finished as a 1-1 draw. He then made his final international appearance on November 13 against Sweden
in 3-1 home defeat. Like his debut, both of these games were World Cup qualifiers
. After leaving Rovers, O'Connor played in the Leinster Senior League.
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 for 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...
. On September 21, 1949, together with 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...
, 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 Peter Farrell
Peter Farrell
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...
, he was also a member of the Ireland team 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.
O'Connor first attracted attention while playing for 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...
in the early part of the 1948-49 season. His impressive performances for Rovers led him to making four appearances for Ireland in 1949. He made his international debut on September 8, 1949 in a 3-0 win against 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....
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...
. The game was a 1950 World Cup qualifier
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...
and O'Connor put in an impressive performance, helping the Irish win 3-0. Despite this he was considered a surprise choice for the game against 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...
and was selected ahead of both 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...
and Jackie O'Driscoll
Jackie O'Driscoll
John Francis O'Driscoll , commonly referred to as Jackie O'Driscoll, is a former Irish footballer who played as a winger for several teams in the League of Ireland. He also played for Swansea Town...
. Together with Tommy Godwin
Tommy Godwin (footballer)
Thomas Fergus Godwin , commonly referred to as Tommy Godwin, was an Irish footballer who played for Shamrock Rovers, Leicester City and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic F.C....
, he was one of two 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...
players in the Irish line-up 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...
and both played their part in the 2-0 win. While Godwin was outstanding goal, O'Connor set up both the Irish goals. Ireland took the lead in the 33rd minute when Peter Desmond
Peter Desmond
Peter Desmond was an Irish footballer. Desmond played for several clubs in the League of Ireland and the English League. As an international, Desmond also played for Ireland....
, after collecting a pass from O'Connor, burst into the England penalty area and was brought down. 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...
then converted the subsequent penalty kick. Then in the 85th O'Connor slipped the ball to Peter Farrell
Peter Farrell
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...
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.
After the game Godwin and O'Connor travelled back to Dublin by ferry with the Irish fans. While Godwin was subsequently signed by Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, O'Connor returned to Rovers and his job as a typesetter with the Irish Times. He made his third appearance for Ireland on October 9 in the return game against 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....
which finished as a 1-1 draw. He then made his final international appearance on November 13 against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in 3-1 home defeat. Like his debut, both of these games were World Cup qualifiers
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...
. After leaving Rovers, O'Connor played in the Leinster Senior League.
Honours
- Inter-City CupDublin and Belfast Intercity CupThe Dublin and Belfast Inter-city Cup was a soccer competition that ran for eight seasons in Ireland between and including 1941/42-1948/49. Each season's competition consisted of 6 teams from each of the 2 jurisdictions on the island of Ireland, the Irish Football Association and the Football...
:- Shamrock Rovers 1949: 1
- LFA Presidents Cup:
- Shamrock Rovers 1948-49: 1