Tommy O'Connor

Thomas O'Connor (born Dublin, Ireland; died 30 June 1987), also known as Tommy O'Connor or Tom O'Connor, was an Irish footballer who played for Shamrock Rovers. On 21 September 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.

Tommy O'Connor
Personal information
Full name Thomas O'Connor
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Date of death 30 June 1987
Playing position(s) Outside Left
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948–1954 Shamrock Rovers 44 (10)
National team
1951 League of Ireland XI 1 (0)
1949 Ireland 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

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 8 September 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.

O'Connor was preferred over both Tommy Eglington and Jackie O'Driscoll for the game against England. This proved an astute selection as O'Connor set up both of the Irish goals. Ireland took the lead in the 33rd minute when Peter Desmond, after collecting a pass from O'Connor, was brought down in the penalty area; Con Martin converted the subsequent penalty kick. In the 85th minute, O'Connor slipped the ball to Peter Farrell and as the English goalkeeper Bert Williams advanced, Farrell lofted the ball into the unguarded net.

He made his third appearance for Ireland on 9 October in the return game against Finland, which finished as a 1–1 draw, before making 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.[1][2][3][4]

Honours
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References
  1. Ireland stats
  2. The Complete Who's Who of Irish International Football, 1945-96 (1996):Stephen McGarrigle
  3. www.independent.ie
  4. The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan
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