John Joseph Carey was an Irish professional 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. He was also a dual internationalist, playing for and captaining both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI. In 1947 he also captained a Europe XI which played a Great Britain XI at Hampden Park. In 1949 he was voted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and in the same year captained the FAI XI that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. Carey was also the first non-UK player and the first Irishman to captain a winning team in both an FA Cup Final and the First Division. Like his contemporary Con Martin, Carey was an extremely versatile footballer and played in nine different positions throughout his career. He even played in goal for United on one occasion.
The history of the England national football team, also known as the Three Lions, begins with the first representative international match in 1870 and the first officially-recognised match two years later. England primarily competed in the British Home Championship over the following decades. Although the FA had joined the international governing body of association football FIFA in 1906, the relationship with the British associations was fraught. In 1928, the British nations withdrew from FIFA, in a dispute over payments to amateur players. This meant that England did not enter the first three World Cups.
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team represents the Republic of Ireland in competitions such as the FIFA Women's World Cup and the UEFA Women's Championship. The team played in their first World Cup at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. It has taken part in invitational tournaments such as the Algarve Cup, the Istria Cup, the Cyprus Cup and Pinatar Cup. It is organised by the Women's Football Association of Ireland.
Albert Rovers F.C. were an Irish association football club based in Cork. Between 1976–77 and 1981–82 the club played in the League of Ireland. During this time the club also played under the names Cork Albert, Cork Alberts and Cork United. The club has also fielded teams in the Munster Senior League and the Cork Athletic Union League. Throughout their history, the club colours were red and black and occasionally white. They were used in various combinations, including stripes and hoops.
Peter Desmond Farrell was an Irish footballer who played as 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 clubs.
Thomas Aherne, also referred to as Bud Aherne, was an Irish footballer and hurler. He played football for Belfast Celtic and Luton Town and was a dual internationalist, playing for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI 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. As a hurler he also played one game for Limerick.
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 (Northern) Irish League, scoring 748 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952. He also scored 12 goals during his time in the (Southern) League of Ireland and scored a further 193 in other competitions. Kelly was noted for having a powerful left footed shot.
Cornelius Joseph Martin was an Irish footballer. Martin initially played Gaelic football for the Dublin county team before switching codes and embarking on a successful soccer career, playing for, among others, Drumcondra, Glentoran, Leeds United and Aston Villa.
Tommy Moroney was an Irish soccer and rugby union player. Moroney played soccer for Cork United, West Ham United, Evergreen United 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. He also represented both Cork Constitution and Munster at rugby union.
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. He was the uncle of Jim, Sharon, Caroline and Andrea Corr who make up the Irish musical group The Corrs. His brother Gerry is their father. After a three-year-long battle with Alzheimer's disease, Corr died in a nursing home in Goosnargh in June 2001, aged 77.
David Joseph Walsh, commonly referred to as Davy Walsh or Dave Walsh, was an 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. In 1949, he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first team to beat England at home.
On 21 September 1949 at Goodison Park, Liverpool, the home of Everton, England were defeated 2–0 by Ireland in a friendly international. As a result, Ireland became the first foreign team to beat England at home. In 1953, the Hungarian team known as the Mighty Magyars defeated England 6–3, to become the second team to do so.
Reginald Alphonso Ryan, also referred to as Paddy Ryan, was an Irish footballer who played for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Coventry City. Ryan was also a dual international, playing for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI. He was the last player to represent both teams. He was more of a goal creator then a goalscorer.
William Edward Hayes was an Irish footballer who played for Huddersfield Town, Cork United and Burnley. As an international, Hayes played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI. Like fellow dual international, Billy Walsh, he also represented England Schoolboys. Another William Hayes also played for Ireland during the 1940s.
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. O'Driscoll was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI.
Thomas O'Connor, 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 Dunne is a former footballer. Most recently, he was the manager of SJK Akatemia in the Finnish second division, Ykkonen.
Owen Madden was an Irish footballer who played as a forward in the League of Ireland and the English Football League. Madden was a dual international who played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI.
Thomas Fergus Godwin, commonly referred to as Tommy Godwin, was an Irish footballer who played for shamrock Rovers, Leicester City and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. On 21 September 1949, together with Con Martin, Johnny Carey and Peter Farrell, he was also a member of the Irish Football Team formed in Ireland that defeated England in 1949 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non – Uk team to beat England at home.
Gary Alexander Kelly is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland internationally as the son of former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly Sr.