The English FA recently confirmed that Hungary is likely to be the first international team to play England at the new Wembley Stadium. The announcement was published by certain of the tabloid newspapers and reflected upon the fact that the Hungarian team of 1953, which included the legendary Ferenc Puskas, trounced England by 6 goals to 3 at the old Wembley Stadium. The report then went on to state that Hungary was the first foreign team to defeat England on home soil. Not so, as the intrepid secretary of this club, Dec Finnegan, was swift to point out to the errant parties.

England suffered their first home defeat by a non UK country (foreign) at Goodison Park, Liverpool on the 21st September 1949 when the Republic of Ireland secured a deserved and memorable 2 nil victory. This historic event, which has been known to slip the minds of the English football authorities and commentators from time to time, occurred almost four years before the visit of the mighty Maygars.

Some of the more senior members of the club may well recall the Goodison Park match of more than fifty six years ago, but the majority will not. The early history of Irish football does not afford us very many opportunities to bask in some glory and the performance of our team on that glorious day deserves to receive the acknowledgement and kudos it warrants.

The Irish team was comprised of nine English based players, all with prominent clubs of the time, together with two home based players, both from Shamrock Rovers. The inclusion of players from Shamrock Rovers was not unusual at the time and indeed throughout the nineteen fifties and sixties was quite common place. This was very much a reflection on the quality of player associated with the South Dublin club and the stature of the club not only in Ireland but also across Europe. The current position of this once great club is sad and its speedy return to the higher echelons of the Eircom League will serve domestic Irish football well.

On that magnificent autumn day in 1949, the Republic of Ireland, captained by the great Jackie Carey, secured victory over a star studded England, who included goalkeeper Bert Williams, Billy Wright, Neil Franklin, Jimmy Dickinson, Wilf Mannion and Tom Finney in their ranks. The Irish goals were scored by Aston Villa centre half, Con Martin in the 33rd minute and that majestic inside forward Peter Farrell of Everton with five minutes remaining.

Republic of Ireland
T Godwin (Shamrock Rovers)
J Carey (Manchester United), T (Bud) Ahearne (Luton Town),
W Walsh (Manchester City), C Martin (Aston Villa), T Moroney (West Ham United)
P Corr (Everton), P Farrell (Everton), D Walsh (West Bromwich Albion),
P Desmond (Middlesbrough), T O’Connor (Shamrock Rovers).

England
B Williams
B Mozeley, J Aston
B Wright, N Franklin, J Dickenson
P Harris, J Morris, J Pye, W Mannion, T Finney.