People who have played both soccer and gaelic

An Citeog · 22-12-2009 2:50am

I'm nearly sure Richie Foran, currently playing with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was playing a bit of junior football with Joeys O'Connell Boys during the summer a few years back. Could be mistaken though.

Kenteach · 22-12-2009 9:39am

I don't think he had made a name for himself at the time (in fact I can't imagine the club allowing it if he had), but Ian Harte came back for a number of championship matches after heading over to Leeds. He was a wonderful gaelic footballer.

Drummerboy2 · 22-12-2009 10:39am

An Citeog wrote: »

I'm nearly sure Richie Foran, currently playing with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, was playing a bit of junior football with Joeys O'Connell Boys during the summer a few years back. Could be mistaken though.

Perhaps it was O'Tooles, think he got in trouble with his club over it.

who the fug · 22-12-2009 12:20pm

Was there not a big row in Cork about 2 or 3 lads playing socer in winter during the early to mid eighties, I seem to remember that numptie may have been involved

Mullet · 27-12-2009 12:21am

Off topic but in Japan for the 2002 world cup, Prior to the Ireland v Germany game irish officals saw some German scouts at one of the irish training sessions and Mick McCarthy told the lads to play gaelic football instead of soccer much to the bemusement of the japanese and germans present.

Paddyontherun · 28-12-2009 8:18pm

Gerry McElhinny played for Derry and went on to play for Bolton and Northern Ireland. Gerry Armstrong (Spurs Watford and N IRE) played for Antrim. Jimmy Barry Murphy played for Cork Celtic. His son palys in the English First Division and presumably played GAA at some stage. I also remember hearing at some stage that Barney Rock had a trial at Leeds as a keeper.

McArmalite · 29-12-2009 6:17pm

alkev wrote: »

kevin moran man. u and dubs . Two all irelands and Fa cups

Kevin Moran must surely be the only man to have won an FA Cup medal and an All Ireland senior ?

( BTW, I think he was the first man ever to be sent off in an FA Cup final ? )

who the fug · 30-12-2009 10:10am

McArmalite wrote: »

Kevin Moran must surely be the only man to have won an FA Cup medal and an All Ireland senior ?

( BTW, I think he was the first man ever to be sent off in an FA Cup final ? )

Yes he was

coronaextra · 03-01-2010 2:12pm

Steve Staunton won a Louth senior football medal at the age of 16 or 17.

Spiritoftheseventies · 04-01-2010 11:48pm

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

Perhaps it was O'Tooles, think he got in trouble with his club over it.

Pretty sure it was O' Connells. And yes he got into trouble over. think Terry Butcher was his manager at the time. As did Mick Deegan and Charlie Redmond who played for tolka Rovers in FAI Junior cup final against wishes of dublin management years ago.

howiya · 05-01-2010 12:15am

Yep was O'Connells

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/richie-foran-mr-blue-sky-1734909.html

Spiritoftheseventies · 05-01-2010 12:38am

and seeing that we wont get to mention it again Diarmuid the Rock O Sullivan played AIL rugby off season, Kieran Donaghy played basketball as did Michael Quirk and Ronan McGarrity while Eric Miller had a brief spell with Ballyboden St Endas two seasons ago.

Glenbhoy · 05-01-2010 12:47am

Conditioned wrote: »

Martin O'Neill was from Derry. He played underage with Derry, but the height of his gaelic football career was playing in the McRory club final with St. Malachys.

I remember attending an event that Micheál O Muircheartaigh was speaking at and he talked about the importance of the club.

He talked about a conversation he had with Martin O'Neill who he knew from his days playing with St.Malachys. He said that Martins father never had a gra for soccer and never really got over the fact that he stopped playing gaelic football to go play professional soccer!

Martin brought him over for the the European final, i think the 1980 one, and afterwards he went to chat him in the hotel thinking that he'd be impressed after all his son was after winning arguably the greatest competition in club soccer in one of the greatest stadiums in the world. He sat down beside his father and asked him "well Da, what'd ya think of that?"

There was a pause for a minute and then he said "Son, its all grand and that but it'll never compare to winning a senior championship with your club.":D

his big brother played in derry's first ever all ireland final in 1958. Martin missed 2 penalties for Derry v Kerry in the All Ireland Minor Semi final of 1969 or 1970?

Strangely his gaelic club have still never won a senior championship!

Current Derry footballer Paddy Bradley played for Dungannon Swifts, Damien McCusker (all ireland winning goal keeper) played for Ballyclare Comrades, a pile of the Deery lads who've played for Derry City and Coleraine etc also played for Slaughtmanus gaa.
There's too many to mention as most serious gaa players keep up their fitness in the off season by playing soccer or rugby, often this can be at a fairly high standard as they've got a good grounding with their fitness and athleticism.

Glenbhoy · 05-01-2010 12:55am

Saint_Mel wrote: »

Arsenal, and apparently (probably urban myth) Paul Merson or someone reckoned Geraghty was the fittest player he'd ever seen

merson said it anyway, i heard him say it on 'saint and greavsie talk sport' or some crappy programme like that.

Glenbhoy · 05-01-2010 1:04am

Paddyontherun wrote: »

Gerry McElhinny played for Derry and went on to play for Bolton and Northern Ireland. Gerry Armstrong (Spurs Watford and N IRE) played for Antrim. Jimmy Barry Murphy played for Cork Celtic. His son palys in the English First Division and presumably played GAA at some stage. I also remember hearing at some stage that Barney Rock had a trial at Leeds as a keeper.

his younger brother eddie also played a bit for Derry gaa and Coleraine, i'm pretty sure he played in england too, but can't quite remember, did he play for Plymouth too??

Glenbhoy · 05-01-2010 1:06am

coronaextra wrote: »

Steve Staunton won a Louth senior football medal at the age of 16 or 17.

as did rob kearney, who also starred for Louth minors as a 16yo v dublin minors in croker. Quite a few of the rugby boys have an impressive gaa pedigree.

LeoB · 05-01-2010 7:06pm

McArmalite wrote: »

Kevin Moran must surely be the only man to have won an FA Cup medal and an All Ireland senior ?

( BTW, I think he was the first man ever to be sent off in an FA Cup final ? )

Yes. Con Martin won a Leinster medal with Dublin in 1941 and got the medal about 30 years later as he fell foul of the ban and who knows could have won an All-Ireland the following year. He won an F.A.1 Cup medal in 1946 (?) with Drumcondra. I remember hearing older people talking about him when I was a young lad and apparently he was a super athlete. He is also unusual in the amount of twists his career had. He became first choice keeper at Villa when their keeper got injured and also played in goal for Ireland. Was on the Irish team that beat England 2-0 at Goodison and scored one of the goals.

Con still lives in Rush and last week his grandson Owen Garvan scored for Ipswich in F.A. Cup.

John O'Leary played with Glebe North in L.S.L and also for Rush Athletic. Did Jason Sherlock play all ireland basketball?

Spiritoftheseventies · 05-01-2010 7:07pm

Im pretty sure Pat Jennings played a bit of gaa aswell in his early days.

The_Kew_Tour · 05-01-2010 7:50pm

bayviewclose wrote: »

Im pretty sure Pat Jennings played a bit of gaa aswell in his early days.

he did indeed, good one.

remember him saying that his high ball catching skills was helped big time from him playing Gaelic.

Derryleigh · 05-01-2010 8:31pm

I think Keith Barr had a trial with some lower leageue English club but he wasnt too impressed with the soccer boys putting gel in their hair and after shave on.....before the match!!

LeoB · 05-01-2010 9:00pm

adrian280582 wrote: »

good one.

remember him saying that his high ball catching skills was helped big time from him playing Gaelic.

Jeasus and here is me thinking it was from all the "Cookestown Sizzlers" he had.

Did Keith Barr play a friendly for Gillingham along with Mick Deegan? One of them scored

The_Kew_Tour · 05-01-2010 10:28pm

Jimmy Quinn the former Northern Ireland footballer was meant be decent hurler in his time

civis_liberalis · 07-01-2010 6:32am

Seamus Conneely - Irish U-21 international right-back. Established member of the Galway United squad.

Played minor football for Galway as well as junior football for his local club Na Piarsiagh. Also played U-21 and Senior A for nearby club, Micheál Breathnach, which had teams at those grades at those grades.

I don't think he would have played much in the way of organised soccer until his later teens.

Geard · 07-01-2010 7:14am

Seamí Coleman- Everton and Killybegs.
Xabi Alonso- Real Madrid and some louth school

Lemlin · 07-01-2010 4:18pm

I think there are alot of urban myths on this thread so far!

I never heard of Mark McKeever going to Sheffield Wednesday for example.

Martin Reilly, from Killygarry, who plays for Cavan now, was formerly with Burnley at underage level and came home. That one is definitely true.

I imagine most Irish soccer players played GAA though because people who are generally good at one are good at the other.

Cillian Sheridan was a great player for Cavan minors and Bailieboro Shamrocks in Cavan before going to Celtic. He's now not having a great time at Plymouth so could be back yet!

Spiritoftheseventies · 07-01-2010 4:28pm

Lemlin wrote: »

I think there are alot of urban myths on this thread so far!

I never heard of Mark McKeever going to Sheffield Wednesday for example.

Martin Reilly, from Killygarry, who plays for Cavan now, was formerly with Burnley at underage level and came home. That one is definitely true.

I imagine most Irish soccer players played GAA though because people who are generally good at one are good at the other.

Cillian Sheridan was a great player for Cavan minors and Bailieboro Shamrocks in Cavan before going to Celtic. He's now not having a great time at Plymouth so could be back yet!

How many games did Sheridan change on his own

tablets · 10-01-2010 5:45am

ricky o flaherty galway utd/st pats/galway footballers and world champion irish dancer
gerry mullen galway utd/galway footballers and connacht rugby
ferghal o neill galway utd/galway footballers
michael donnellan galway utd/galway footballers

Lemlin · 10-01-2010 5:58pm

bayviewclose wrote: »

How many games did Sheridan change on his own

What exactly do you mean by that?

Spiritoftheseventies · 10-01-2010 6:00pm

Lemlin wrote: »

What exactly do you mean by that?

Was just asking. No reason

RGS · 10-01-2010 10:21pm

James McCartan of Down played Irish league soccer.

Lemlin · 10-01-2010 10:26pm

bayviewclose wrote: »

Was just asking. No reason

Haha, you're very funny, if you want to drag up old threads then bring it up on those threads.

jpt77 · 12-01-2010 10:40pm

Peter Whitnall. Played for Down in 1991 and scored a fisted goal against Kerry in the Semi-final. He was a protestant and as far as I can remember he had a tough time from both sides for playing football. Memory is hazy. He played soccer in Irish League but can't for the life of me remember who with. I could be challenged on this info

Kenteach · 12-01-2010 11:00pm

jpt77 wrote: »

Peter Whitnall. Played for Down in 1991 and scored a fisted goal against Kerry in the Semi-final. He was a protestant and as far as I can remember he had a tough time from both sides for playing football. Memory is hazy. He played soccer in Irish League but can't for the life of me remember who with. I could be challenged on this info

I think you are right about him playing in the Irish league, but I'm also about 95% certain he played in the LOI for Dundalk.

jpt77 · 12-01-2010 11:14pm

Kenteach wrote: »

I think you are right about him playing in the Irish league, but I'm also about 95% certain he played in the LOI for Dundalk.

You're right. Good call

LeoB · 13-01-2010 5:06pm

jpt77 wrote: »

Peter Whitnall. Played for Down in 1991 and scored a fisted goal against Kerry in the Semi-final. He was a protestant and as far as I can remember he had a tough time from both sides for playing football. Memory is hazy. He played soccer in Irish League but can't for the life of me remember who with. I could be challenged on this info

He played for Newry Town as they were back then and possibly Cliftonville. Also had spell with Dundalk.

Not sur if it was mentioned but did Keith Wood play Minor for Clare? Mick Galwey was a member of Kerry senior panel in the 80s

HALLOW RUBY · 13-01-2010 5:16pm

I think Graham Geraghty signed for Drogheda Utd back around 1997, don't know if he ever played for the first team though.

Kenteach · 13-01-2010 10:35pm

HALLOW RUBY wrote: »

I think Graham Geraghty signed for Drogheda Utd back around 1997, don't know if he ever played for the first team though.

I'm a Drogs fan all my life and have absolutely no recollection of geraghty signing or playing for us.

Tenderloins1 · 16-01-2010 12:07am

Does this count?

YFlyer · 29-07-2019 11:02pm

Tony Ward both Limerick United and Thomond College.

Coillte_Bhoy · 30-07-2019 6:00am

I remember seeing Ger Houlihan (Armagh) playing for Sligo Rovers

earlytobed · 30-07-2019 8:19am

Shane Long Tipp minor
Lee Chin turned out for Wexford Youths in a play off a couple of years ago
Tony Grealish County Player - Armagh?
Shane Supple Ipswich and Dublin

Balmed Out · 30-07-2019 8:44am

John Caulfield was a Roscommon minor and Cork junior footballer, George O'Callaghan played minor hurling for Cork.
Not Gaelic but ex Man Utd captain Noel Cantwell also played for Ireland in Cricket.

Fr Tod Umptious · 30-07-2019 9:16am

TheCandystripes wrote: »

well im more looking at the likes of michael slimmermann who played in an under-21 final in the same season he played with sligo rovers. im not just talking about any randomer who just happened to play both sports. for the purpose of this thread lets say people who have played at the top level in this country.

OP (if you are still with us at boards.ie)
Good call on Slingerman (even if auto correct called him slimmerman)

In typical Mayo fashion he has managed the following

Lost an All Ireland minor final
Lost an All Ireland junior club final
Lost a FAI Cup final.

He's back in the Mayo senior football fold, was named on the bench for a few league games I believe.

earlytobed · 30-07-2019 9:24am

Thierry Henry Monaco, Arsenal, Gaelic for France: V Ireland:)

Bonniedog · 30-07-2019 9:45am

Not in the same exalted realms, but Mick Leech the great Shamrock Rovers striker of the late 60s/ early 70s (also played for Ireland) spent his Summers playing football with Good Counsel in Drimnagh. Not at same time as Kevin Moran I don't think. Good man to get a goal in either sport!

boosabum · 30-07-2019 9:48am

Martin Keown, Arsenal, England, Aston Villa & Eire Óg club in Oxford

hurlingman97 · 30-07-2019 9:59am

Pádraig Cunningham - Galway United/Galway football

Gavin Duffy - Connacht rugby/Mayo football

boosabum · 30-07-2019 2:23pm

Roberto Wallace, Miami Dolphins & Breaffy

RMAOK · 30-07-2019 2:26pm

earlytobed wrote: »

Thierry Henry Monaco, Arsenal, Gaelic for France: V Ireland:)

Gael85 · 30-07-2019 5:55pm

Donegal Shaun Patton, Jason McGee and Daire O'Baoill played soccer with Finn Harps. Bohemians striker Dinny Corcoran played club football with St Pat's Donabate and Bohs keeper James Talbot played club football with Ballymun Kickhams.

People who have played both soccer and gaelic

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