Fred Kiernan
Encyclopedia
Frederick William Kiernan (7 July 1919 – December 1981) was an Irish
professional footballer
who played as a goalkeeper
in the 1940s and 1950s.
, though he initially played as a youth with Drumcondra.
With Shelbourne, he came close to a clean sweep of honours in the 1943–44 season, winning the League and Shield and losing out to Shamrock Rovers
in the FAI Cup
final.
In the summer of 1945, he transferred to play for Dundalk
. After three seasons with Dundalk, he moved to Sligo Rovers
where he played just one season (1948–49).
He was then signed by Shamrock Rovers coach Paddy Coad
.
At 5 ft 8in he was unusually small for a goalkeeper but, according to Holley & Chalk's "In That Number", "he had tremendous agility, which went a long way in compensating". Ireland recognised his talents, and in May 1951 he made his international debut against Argentina
) and before May was out he had added a second cap (v. Norway
).
Later that year at the age of 32, he joined Southampton
for a then record League of Ireland fee for a goalkeeper of £4,500.
By October 1951 he had made his Southampton debut in the Football League Division Two against Hull City
. Over the next 5 seasons he made 136 League and Cup appearances with the Saints and added another three Irish caps to his collection. During his time at The Dell, he contested John Christie
for the goalkeeper's jersey.
In January 1954 he unsuccessfully applied for the manager's post at Peterborough United
. He was almost 37 years of age when he played his last game for the Saints against Norwich City
in April 1956 and the following July he moved to Yeovil Town
.
He retired from active playing in 1958, before returning to Southampton
, where he spent a brief period coaching with A.C. Delco.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
in the 1940s and 1950s.
Playing career
He was born in Dublin and his first senior club was ShelbourneShelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
, though he initially played as a youth with Drumcondra.
With Shelbourne, he came close to a clean sweep of honours in the 1943–44 season, winning the League and Shield and losing out to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
in the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
final.
In the summer of 1945, he transferred to play for Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
. After three seasons with Dundalk, he moved to Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
where he played just one season (1948–49).
He was then signed by Shamrock Rovers coach Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad
Paddy Coad is a former Irish football player and manager. He played as a forward for Waterford United, Glenavon, Shamrock Rovers and Ireland. Although known, primarily, as a maker of goals, Coad scored 126 goals in the League of Ireland and a further 41 in the FAI Cup. In 1946-47 he was top...
.
At 5 ft 8in he was unusually small for a goalkeeper but, according to Holley & Chalk's "In That Number", "he had tremendous agility, which went a long way in compensating". Ireland recognised his talents, and in May 1951 he made his international debut against Argentina
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
) and before May was out he had added a second cap (v. Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
).
Later that year at the age of 32, he joined Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for a then record League of Ireland fee for a goalkeeper of £4,500.
By October 1951 he had made his Southampton debut in the Football League Division Two against Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
. Over the next 5 seasons he made 136 League and Cup appearances with the Saints and added another three Irish caps to his collection. During his time at The Dell, he contested John Christie
John Christie (footballer born 1929)
John Alexander Christie is a retired football goalkeeper who played for Southampton F.C. for most of the 1950s.-Playing career:...
for the goalkeeper's jersey.
In January 1954 he unsuccessfully applied for the manager's post at Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
. He was almost 37 years of age when he played his last game for the Saints against Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
in April 1956 and the following July he moved to Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
.
He retired from active playing in 1958, before returning to Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, where he spent a brief period coaching with A.C. Delco.
Honours
- League of IrelandLeague of IrelandThe League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
: 1- Shelbourne F.C.Shelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
- 1943/44
- Shelbourne F.C.
- League of Ireland ShieldLeague of Ireland ShieldThe League of Ireland Shield is a defunct Irish football tournament which was introduced when the League of Ireland started in 1921 and ran uninterrupted until 1972...
: 2- Shelbourne F.C.Shelbourne F.C.Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
1944 - Shamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
1949/50
- Shelbourne F.C.