Paddy Duncan was an Irish

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,...

 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...

. At the 1924 Olympics Games

Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics

Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....

 he scored the Irish Free State’s first ever goal in a senior international.

Club career

During his career Duncan was known by the nickname Dirty Duncan. Together with Charlie Dowdall

Charlie Dowdall

Charlie Dowdall was an Irish footballer. He played for several clubs in both the League of Ireland and the English League and was also capped at international level by the Irish Free State...

, Thomas Murphy, Ernest McKay

Ernest McKay

Ernest MacKay was born in Tipperary, the second son and fifth child of John and Mary Elizabeth MacKay. As a child he lived at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare in Ireland before moving to Oxmantown Road in Dublin....

 and Michael Farrell, Duncan was one of five players from St James's Gate

St James's Gate F.C.

St James's Gate F.C. is an Irish football club that currently plays in the Leinster Senior League. St James Gate was founded as the footballing part of the Guinness Sports and Social club and was named after St. James's Gate Brewery....

, included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympics Games

Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics

Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....

.

Irish international

In 1924 Duncan made 4 appearances and scored 2 goals for the Irish Free State. The first two of these games were played at the 1924 Olympics Games

Ireland at the 1924 Summer Olympics

Ireland, then known as the Irish Free State, competed as an independent nation for the first time at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France....

. Other members of Olympic squad included Tommy Muldoon

Tommy Muldoon

Thomas Patrick Muldoon was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Athlone Town and Aston Villa. As an international he also played for the Irish Free State and represented them at the 1924 Olympics Games....

, Joe Kendrick

Joe Kendrick Sr.

Joe Kendrick was an Irish footballer who played for Brooklyn F.C., Everton and Dolphins. As an international he also played for the Irish Free State. In 1924 Kendrick was member of the Irish Free State team when it made its competitive debut at Olympics Games...

, Jack McCarthy

Jack McCarthy (footballer)

Jack McCarthy was a former Irish footballer who played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland during the 1920s and 1930s. As an international McCarthy also represented both Ireland teams. He played as a senior for the FAI XI and as an amateur for the IFA XI...

, Johnny Murray

Johnny Murray

For the voice actor, see Johnny Murray Johnny Murray was an Irish soccer player during the 1920s.Murray was a skilful winger who played for Ormeau, Blue Crusaders, Bohemians and Drumcondra F.C.....

 and Dinny Hannon

Dinny Hannon

Denis J. Hannon , also known as Dinny Hannon or Dinney Hannon, was an Irish footballer who played as an inside-right for both Bohemians and Athlone Town. Hannon was also a dual international and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. He was the first player ever to do this...

. Duncan made his debut for the Free State in their first ever senior international on May 28. He also scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Stade Olympique against Bulgaria

Bulgaria national football team

The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...

. As a result of this win the Irish Free State qualified for the quarter-finals. On June 2 Duncan also played in this game against the Netherlands

Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...

 but the Irish Free State lost 2-1 after extra-time.
The following day, before returning home, the team played Estonia

Estonia national football team

The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....

 in a friendly at the Stade Olympique and Duncan scored the opening goal in a 3-1 win.

On June 14, 1924 he also played against the United States

United States men's national soccer team

The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...

 in another 3-1 win at Dalymount Park

Dalymount Park

Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...

.

In March 1926 he travelled as a reserve with the Irish squad to play Italy

Italy national football team

The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...

, but did not play.