The Soccernostalgia Interview-Part 60- A video Interview and blog presentation with Irish Freelance writer, Historian and Broadcaster Mr. John O’Carroll, discussing Irish Free State’s participation in the 1924 Olympics in Paris)

 

The Irish Free State in the 1924 Olympics in Paris

 

Before the Republic of Ireland made its Official debut in International Football, it participated in the 1924 Olympics under the name of ‘Irish Free State’.

This would be the official name of the Nation from 1922 to 1937.

The new Federation had broken away from the IFA (Irish Football Association) in 1921. Its declared mandate was to select players from only their own territory.

The first League season started in the 1921/22 season featuring eight clubs from Dublin.

However, this was not an easy endeavor. The British Associations sided with the IFA and rebuffed approaches for matches from the new Free State.

They even lobbied other Federations to refuse any contact with the ‘rebel’ organization.

Despite the political pressure from Britain, the International Olympic committee were receptive to the advances of the Irish to be included.

FIFA admitted the Irish Free State in September 1923, with support from the Spanish Federation.

FIFA were forced to hold an emergency meeting regarding the status of the Irish, as the British Foreign Office still pressured the authorities.

Ultimately, FAI changed its name to FA of the Irish Free state (FAIFS).

In a conference of the International Board in Liverpool in October 1923, FAIFS were accepted with dominion status. This permitted British clubs to play in Ireland.

 

As far as the 1924 Olympics, there was the distinct possibility to have a unified All-Ireland Team. However, after a Conference on March 8, 1924, the idea was nixed as the IFA were insistent on having a permanent Chairman at the International Selection Committee.

For the 1924 Olympics in Paris, the responsibility to train the team was assigned to Charles Harris.

22 players were selected, although only 16 traveled to France, with the remaining six on standby.

The Team had to travel by train and then by boat to London, then by train again to Dover and once more by boat to Calais before arriving to Paris.

These Olympics would be the first time that the ‘Green, White and Orange’ Irish flag would be hoisted at a Sporting event.

 

The Irish lined up for the first time at Paris’ Stade de Colombes facing Bulgaria on May 28^th, 1924.

The 36-year-old Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon was the first Captain of Ireland leading out the squad. The inside-right had already represented the Ireland National Team (IFA) (Prior to the split) on six occasions (1908-1913).

Hannon was also the first player to play for both Irelands (also played for IFA’s Amateur national Team). He lined up for Bohemians and Athlone Town at club level. He would play in both matches in the Olympics and no more. He passed away aged 83 on August 23, 1971.

In this match vs. Bulgaria, Hannon failed on a twice retaken penalty kick. Regardless, the Irish won (1-0) with a goal by Patrick Duncan in the 75^th minute.

The Irish forward Patrick Duncan became the first ever goalscorer of the Irish Free State (albeit not Officially). Duncan was nicknamed ‘Dirty’ and played for St. James’s Gate. In all, he played in the four matches of Irish Free State in 1924 and would score once more vs. Estonia in a friendly right after the Olympics.

He passed away on April 9, 1949, aged 54 or 55.

Some of the other debutants included: Jack McCarthy and Tommy Muldoon.

Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)

(Irish Free State’s Patrick Duncan)

(1894-April 9, 1949)

 

Jack McCarthy was a career long Amateur defender for the likes of Olympia and Bohemians. He had played once for the IFA’s Amateur National Team. He would in total make six appearances for the Irish Free State until 1930. He would win the League of Ireland on three occasions with Bohemians (1924,1928 and 1930). He passed away on March 10, 1958, aged 59 or 60.

 

Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)

(Irish Free State’s Jack McCarthy)

(1898-unknown)

Tommy Muldoon played for Athlone and after the Olympics joined Aston Villa and subsequently Tottenham Hotspur and Walsall.

He would make five appearances for the Irish Free State until 1927. The four matches in 1924 and a final match vs. Italy ‘B’ in 1927. Like Joe Kendrick, he would be one of the first four English League based players to play for the Irish Free State.

He also joined a regiment during the First World War.

He passed away aged 92 on October 12, 1989.

 

For their second match in the Olympics, the Irish faced the Dutch for the Quarterfinals on June 2^nd, at Saint-Ouen.

The Irish and the Dutch groups were lodged near one another and became friendly. The Dutch offered an invitation for dinner for the following day of their encounter, irrespective of the result.

The Irish made one change Francis Ghent starting ahead of Joe Kendrick.

Kendrick, was an outside left, playing for Brooklyn FC. He would earn a transfer to Everton afterwards before returning to Ireland to play for Dolphins (winning the League title in 1935).

A decade later in 1934, he was a member of the first ever Irish Free State side to play in a World Cup qualifier vs. Belgium. In all represented the Irish Free state five times in a decade (1924-1935). While an Everton player, he became one of the first four English League based players to play for the new established Nation in 1927 vs. Italy ‘B’. His last appearance for his Nation was in 1935 vs. Holland. He passed away aged 60 on October 27, 1965.

 

It would be, Kendrick’s replacement, Ghent himself who scored the lone Irish goal in this game against the Dutch.

This match would go into extra-time with the Dutch eventually edging out with a (2-1) win.

Ok Formenoy scored twice for the Dutch (6^th minute and 104^th minute), with Ghent replying in the 32^nd minute.

 

Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)

(June 2, 1924, Olympics, Holland 2-Irish Free State 1)

The irish were out but remained to play in a friendly against another eliminated Nation, Estonia, on the following day, June 3^rd, at Paris’ Stade de Colombes.

The Irish made four changes, as Herbert Kerr, Ernest McKay, Michael Farrell and Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon were left out.

Thomas Murphy, John Thomas, Christy Robinson and Charles Dowdall came in the team.

John-Joseph Dykes was Captain in the absence of Hannon, who did not play in this match. The Irish comfortably won (3-1) before heading back home.

The Inside-right Charles Dowdall was one of the debutants in this match vs. Estonia. He was a member of the St. James’s Gate during the Olympics (winning the League title in 1922). He would later play for teams like Fordsons, Barnsley, Swindon Town and then back with St. James’s Gate and Cork FC.

He did not make any appearance in the Olympics, but in all he made five appearances for his Nation until 1931. He passed away aged 89 on November 7, 1987.

 

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England Amateurs (1906-1940) (115)

(Irish Free State’s Charles Dowdall)

Just weeks later on June 16^th, the Irish hosted the United States in a friendly at Dublin’s Dalymount Park.

In this first ever home match, Herbert Kerr would become the first ever Captain of the Irish Free State in a match at home. The full-back played for Bohemians for over a decade. He played for the Irish Free State on three occasions in 1924, with this appearance vs. the United States being his last.

In later life, he became a famous racehorse trader.

The Irish won (3-1) with Edward A. Brooks scoring a hat-trick to close out the historically significant year.

 

Sources:

Football Association of Ireland, 75 Years, Author Peter Byrne, 1996

IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England Amateurs (1906-1940)

The Boys in Green, The FAI international Story, Author Sean Ryan, 1997

 

 

Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics:

Goalkeepers:

Patrick O'Reilly (Athlone Town FC) (1898-September 24, 1974)

 

Defenders/Midfielders/Strikers:    

Herbert William Joseph Kerr (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (October 19, 1896- November 23, 1973)

John ‘Jack’ McCarthy (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (1898- March 10, 1958)

John Joe Dykes (Athlone Town FC) (October 30, 1898-June 25, 1976)

Ernest McKay (St. James’s Gate FC) (October 7, 1896- November 1995)

Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ Muldoon (Athlone Town FC) (July 27, 1897-October 12, 1989)

Michael John Farrell (St. James’s Gate FC) (1902-unknown)

Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon (Athlone Town FC) (January 31, 1888-August 23, 1971)

Patrick Duncan (St. James’s Gate FC) (1894-April 9, 1949)

Joseph ‘Joe’ Kendrick (Brooklyn FC Dublin) (June 26, 1905-October 27, 1965)

John Murray (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (February 25, 1898-November 12, 1954)

Francis ‘Frank’ Ghent (Athlone Town FC) (October 13, 1897-October 21, 1965)

William Ernest ‘Ernie’ Crawford (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (November 17, 1891-January 12, 1959)

Charles Dowdall (St. James’s Gate FC) (April 7, 1898-November 7, 1987)

Thomas Murphy (St. James’s Gate FC)

Christopher ‘Christy’ Robinson (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (1902-February 21, 1954)

John Joseph Thomas (Bohemians FAC Dublin) (August 23, 1896- December 9, 1980)

 

Note:

The following players stayed as reserve in Ireland:

Thomas Aungier (St. James’s Gate FC) (goalkeeper)

Robert Cowzer (Shelbourne)

Frank Heaney (St. James’s Gate FC) (November 23, 1886-August 24, 1937)

John Lea (Shelbourne)

J. Healy

 

Coach: Charles Harris

Team Captain: Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon

 

Photo From: IFFHS-Olympic Football Tournaments (1908-1936)

(Irish Free State squad)

 

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England Amateurs (1906-1940)

(Irish Free State’s matches in 1924)

Date: May 28, 1924

Competition: Olympics-Second Round

Result: Irish Free State 1-Bulgaria 0

Venue: Paris (Stade de Colombes)-Stade Olympique- Stade Yves du Manoir, France

Attendance: 1,659

Referee: Henri Henriot (France) 

Goalscorers:

(Irish Free State): Patrick Duncan 75^th

(Bulgaria): None

Lineups:

Irish Free State:

Patrick O'Reilly (Athlone Town FC)

Herbert William Joseph Kerr (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

John ‘Jack’ McCarthy (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

John Joe Dykes (Athlone Town FC)

Ernest McKay (St. James’s Gate FC)

Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ Muldoon (Athlone Town FC)

Michael John Farrell (St. James’s Gate FC)

Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon (Athlone Town FC)

Patrick Duncan (St. James’s Gate FC)

Joseph ‘Joe’ Kendrick (Brooklyn FC Dublin)

John Murray (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

 

Coach: Charles Harris

Team Captain: Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon

Note: 

1-Denis J. Hannon missed a twice retaken penalty kick.

 

Bulgaria:

Petar Ivanov (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Aleksandar Hristov (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Simeon Yankov (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Ivan Radoev (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Boian Bianov (Ticha Varna)

Geno Mateev (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Dimitar Mutafchiev (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Nikola Mutafchiev (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Todor Vladimirov (Sport Klub Slavia Sofia) 

Konstantin Maznikov (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

Kiril Iovovich (Sport Klub Levski Sofia) 

 

Coach: Leopold Nich (Austria)

Team Captain: Todor Vladimirov 

Note:

1- Ivan Radoev and Todor Vladimirov were making their debuts while the rest of their teammates were only earning their second cap.

2-The Bulgarians fielded the Mutafchiev brothers.

3-Bulgaria were managed by the Austrian Leopold Niestch, who was still an active Austrian International.

 

 

 

Date: June 2, 1924

Competition: Olympics-Quarterfinals

Result: Holland 2-Irish Free State 1 (After Extra Time)

Venue: Paris-Stade de Paris (Saint-Ouen), France

Attendance: 6,484

Referee: Heinrich Retschury (Austria)

Goalscorers:

(Holland): Ok Formenoy 6^th, 104^th     

(Irish Free State): Francis Ghent 32^nd

Lineups:

Holland:

dr Agaeus Ijme ‘Gejus’ van der Meulen (HFC (Haarlemsche Football Club)-Haarlem) 

ir Henri Léonard Barthélémi ‘Harry’ Dénis (HBS (Houdt Braef Standt)-Den Haag)

dr Johannes Cornelis ‘Hans’ Tetzner (Groninger Cricket en Voetbal Vereniging Be Quick-Groningen) 

dr André Janich le Fèvre (Sport Vereniging Kampong-Utrecht)
Evert van Linge (Groninger Cricket en Voetbal Vereniging Be Quick-Groningen)

Gerardus Johannes ‘Peer’ Krom (RCH -Racing Club Haarlem)

Bernardus ‘Ber’ Groosjohan (V.O.C. (Volharding Olympia Combinatie)-Rotterdam)

Ocker Nicolaas ‘Ok’ Formenoy (Rotterdamsche Voetbal en Atletiek Vereniging Sparta –Rotterdam)
Adrianus Johannes ‘Joop’ ter Beek (NAC (NOAD (Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten) Advendo Combinatie) Breda)

Gerrit Antoon Visser (IJVV Ijmuidense Voetbal Vereniging Stormvogels-Ijmuiden) 

Johannes Daniel ‘Jan’ de Natris (Amsterdamse Football Club Ajax-Amsterdam)

 

Coach: William Townley (England)

Team Captain: ir Henri Léonard Barthélémi ‘Harry’ Dénis 

Note:

1- The Dutch fielded debutants Ok Formenoy and Joop ter Beek.

 

Irish Free State:

Patrick O'Reilly (Athlone Town FC)

Herbert William Joseph Kerr (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

John ‘Jack’ McCarthy (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

Ernest McKay (St. James’s Gate FC)

John-Joseph Dykes (Athlone Town FC)

Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ Muldoon (Athlone Town FC)

Michael John Farrell (St. James’s Gate FC)

Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon (Athlone Town FC)

Patrick Duncan (St. James’s Gate FC)

Francis ‘Frank’ Ghent (Athlone Town FC)

John Murray (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

 

Coach: Charles Harris

Team Captain: Denis J. ‘Dinny’ Hannon

Note:

1-In other sources, the Irish goal was credited to Dykes and/or Farrell.

 

Photo From: Oranje Toen En Nu, Deel 2, 1914-1926, 2001-2002, Author: Matty Verkamman

(June 2, 1924, Olympics, Holland 2-Irish Free State 1)

 

Photo From: Het Nederlands Elftal, De Histoire van Oranje, 1905-1989

(Holland squad, June 2, 1924, Olympics, Holland 2-Irish Free State 1)

 

Date: June 3, 1924

Competition: Friendly

Result: Irish Free State 3-Estonia 1

Venue: Paris (Stade de Colombes)-Stade Olympique- Stade Yves du Manoir, France

Attendance: 3,000

Referee: Yusuf Mohamed (Egypt)

Goalscorers:

(Irish Free State): Patrick Duncan 15^th, Robsinson 48^th, Francis Ghent 69^th

(Estonia): Oskar Upraus 37^th

Lineups:

Irish Free State:

Patrick O'Reilly (Athlone Town FC)

Thomas Murphy (St. James’s Gate FC)

John ‘Jack’ McCarthy (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

John Thomas (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

John-Joseph Dykes (Athlone Town FC)

Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ Muldoon (Athlone Town FC)

Christopher ‘Christy’ Robinson (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

Charles Dowdall (St. James’s Gate FC)

Patrick Duncan (St. James’s Gate FC)

Francis ‘Frank’ Ghent (Athlone Town FC)

John Murray (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

 

Coach: Charles Harris

Team Captain: John-Joseph Dykes

 

Estonia:

Evald Tipner (FC Sport Tallinn)

Arnold Pihlak (FC Kalev Tallinn)

Otto Silber (Tallinna JK (Jalgpalli Klubi))

Hugo Vali (FC Kalev Tallinn)       

Bernhard Rein (FC Sport Tallinn)

Harald Kaarman (FC Kalev Tallinn)       

Alfei Jurgenson (Tallinna JK (Jalgpalli Klubi))

Voldemar Roks (FC Kalev Tallinn)

Eduard Ellman-Eelma (FC Kalev Tallinn)

Oskar Upraus (FC Sport Tallinn) 

Ernst Joll (FC Kalev Tallinn)       

 

Coach: Ferenc Konya (Hungary)

Team Captain:

Note:

1-In Estonian, FC Kalev Tallinn is referred as JK (Jalgpalliklubi) Tallinna Kalev

1-In Estonian, FC Sport Tallinn is referred as SK (Spordiklubi) Tallinna) Sport.

 

 

Date: June 16, 1924

Competition: Friendly

Result: Irish Free State 3-USA 1

Venue: Dublin-Dalympunt Park

Attendance: 3,700

Referee: John Joseph Kelly (Irish Free State)

Goalscorers:

(Irish Free State): Edward A. Brooks (3 goals)

(USA): James Rhody

Lineups:

Irish Free State:

Francis Collins (Jacob FC Dublin)

Herbert William Joseph Kerr (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

Thomas Murphy (St. James’s Gate FC)

John Thomas (Bohemians FAC Dublin)

Patrick Duncan (St. James’s Gate FC)

Thomas A. ‘Tommy’ Muldoon (Athlone Town FC)

Michael John Farrell (St. James’s Gate FC)

Charles Dowdall (St. James’s Gate FC)

Edward A. Brooks (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

Anthony Hunston (Jacob FC Dublin)

John Murray (The Bohemians FAC Dublin)

 

Coach: Charles Harris

Team Captain: Herbert Kerr

Note:

1-First cap for Francis Collins, Edward A. Brooks and Anthony Hunston.

2-Francis Collins was not qualified for Olympics as he had a contract for Celtic Glasgow before.

3-Francis Collins and Edward A. Brooks had previously represented the Ireland National Team (IFA).

 

USA:

James E. Douglas (Newark Skeeters FC)

James Mulholland (Scott A.A.)

Arthur G. Rudd (Fleisher Yarn FC Philadelphia)

WIlliam Jacob Demko (Fleisher Yarn FC Philadelphia)

Raymond A. Hornberger (Disston FC Philadelphia)

Frederick E. O'Connor (Lynn General Electric)

Irving C. Davis (Fairhill FC Philadelphia)

Herbert Wells (Fleisher Yarn FC Philadelphia)

Andrew John Stradan (Fleisher Yarn FC Philadelphia)

James Rhody (Erie A.A.)

Edward Hart (St. Matthews FC)

 

Manager: George Matthew Collins

Coach: George Henry Burford

Team Captain: Andrew John Stradan

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England Amateurs (1906-1940)

(Irish Free State’s Francis Collins)

Photo From: IFFHS, England (1872-1940), Eire (1924-1940), England/Amateurs (1906-1940)

(Irish Free State squad, June 16, 1924, Irish Free State 3-USA 1)