Paddy Moore
Encyclopedia
Paddy Moore was an Irish footballer
who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers
and Aberdeen
. Moore was a dual internationalist
and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
.
In February 1934 Moore scored four goals for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier
against Belgium. As a result he became the first player ever to score four goals in a World Cup game. However injury and alcoholism
combined to blight both his career and life and he was only 41 when he died. In September 2006 Moore was posthumously honoured by Shamrock Rovers at their Legends Ball.
for the first of three spells. In 1929 at the age of 19 he signed for Cardiff City
, but made only one appearance. After brief spells with both Merthyr Town
and Tranmere Rovers
he then returned to Shamrock Rovers. During the 1931-32 season he helped Rovers win both the League of Ireland
championship and the League of Ireland Shield
. He also helped Rovers win the FAI Cup
in both 1931 and 1932, scoring in both finals.
After an impressive performance for the FAI XI against the Netherlands
in May 1932, Moore, together with Joe O'Reilly
and Jimmy Daly
, was one of three Irish players from that team who were then signed by Aberdeen
. The trio were signed for a combined fee of less than £1,000. Moore made an impressive start for Aberdeen, scoring 27 goals in 29 Scottish League
matches during the 1932-33 season. However in subsequent seasons his problems with alcoholism
began to emerge.
In February 1934 the Aberdeen manager Paddy Travers
accompanied Moore while on international duty against Belgium in order to help keep him away from alcohol. Travers was aware that Moore had developed a drink problem that would end his career prematurely. In May 1935 Moore was selected to play for the FAI XI in an away game against Switzerland
but he was declared unfit to play after drinking too heavily while travelling to the game. Other similar incidents resulted in Moore being released by Aberdeen. Moore then returned to Shamrock Rovers and in 1936 helped them win a third FAI Cup
by scoring in his third final.
- based IFA
and the Irish Free State
- based FAI
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Moore, played for both teams.
. Together with Tom Farquharson
, Peter Kavanagh
, Jeremiah Robinson
and Charlie Dowdall
, Moore was part of an FAI XI that gained a respectable 1-1 draw at the Montjuic Stadium
in Barcelona
. Moore marked his debut by scoring the FAI XI’s goal. He gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute when he received a pass from John Joe Flood
and then found himself in a one against one situation with the legendary Spanish goalkeeper, Ricardo Zamora
. Moore coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Zamora and into the back of the goal. The goalkeeper subsequently tore off his shirt in disgust and threw it into the back of the net, suffering the derision of his own fans.
Moore missed the return game against Spain due to injury, but then won his second FAI XI cap against the Netherlands
on 5 May 1932. He scored the FAI XI’s second goal in a 2-0 victory. Moore shot from twenty yards and bought the 30,000 crowd to their feet. However the highlight of Moore’s international career came on 25 February 1934 at Dalymount Park
when the FAI XI made their World Cup
debut in a qualifier
against Belgium. He scored all four goals for the FAI XI as they came from 2-0, 3-1 and then 4-3 down to draw 4-4. As a result Moore became the first player ever to score four goals in a World Cup game. Two months later in another qualifier on 8 April 1934, Moore scored his seventh and last goal for the FAI XI in a 5-2 defeat against the Netherlands
.
The other major highlight of Moore’s international career came on 17 October 1936 when he masterminded the FAI XI in a 5-2 win against Germany
, again at Dalymount Park. Despite not scoring himself, he helped set up four of the goals. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on 6 December 1936 in 3-2 home defeat against Hungary
.
, Moore made his one and only appearance for the IFA XI
, in a game against England
in Blackpool
. Together with Jimmy Dunne
, Jimmy Kelly
and Harry Duggan
, Moore was one of four players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
to feature in the IFA XI forward line. Although England won 1-0, the IFA selectors retained the same team for the game against Wales
on 7 December. However injury prevented Moore from winning a second IFA XI cap and the 1932 game England remains the only time that Moore and Dunne played together at international level.
international Ronnie Whelan, Sr.. Legend has it, Whelan was initially spotted by Moore's wife, who then brought him to the attention of her husband.
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 for, among others, 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...
and Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. Moore was a dual internationalist
Dual Irish international footballers
Dual Irish international footballers are a group of Irish international footballers who, between 1908 and March 1950, played for the international teams selected by both the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland...
and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
.
In February 1934 Moore scored four goals for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier
1934 FIFA World Cup qualification
Estonia v Lithuania was not played, since neither team could qualify with a win.Sweden qualified.-Group 2:----Spain qualified.-Group 3:Italy qualified, as Greece withdrew after the first match.-Group 4:--------...
against Belgium. As a result he became the first player ever to score four goals in a World Cup game. However injury and alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
combined to blight both his career and life and he was only 41 when he died. In September 2006 Moore was posthumously honoured by Shamrock Rovers at their Legends Ball.
Club career
As a youth Moore played for several teams including Richmond Rovers before joining Shamrock RoversShamrock 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...
for the first of three spells. In 1929 at the age of 19 he signed for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, but made only one appearance. After brief spells with both Merthyr Town
Merthyr Town F.C.
Merthyr Town Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2011–2012 season the club will be playing in the Western Football League Premier Division at Penydarren Park in Merthyr....
and Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
he then returned to Shamrock Rovers. During the 1931-32 season he helped Rovers win both the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The 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...
championship and the League of Ireland Shield
League of Ireland Shield
The 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...
. He also helped Rovers win 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...
in both 1931 and 1932, scoring in both finals.
After an impressive performance for the FAI XI 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...
in May 1932, Moore, together with Joe O'Reilly
Joe O'Reilly
Joe O'Reilly is an Irish Fine Gael politician. A former Senator, he was elected at the general election in February 2011 as a Teachta Dála for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency.Born in Cootehill, County Cavan, he was educated at St...
and Jimmy Daly
Jimmy Daly
Jimmy Daly was an Irish football player. He was born in Dublin.He joined Shamrock Rovers in 1931 and in his first season helped Rovers win the League, the FAI Cup and the Shield. He departed for Aberdeen F.C...
, was one of three Irish players from that team who were then signed by Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
. The trio were signed for a combined fee of less than £1,000. Moore made an impressive start for Aberdeen, scoring 27 goals in 29 Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
matches during the 1932-33 season. However in subsequent seasons his problems with alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
began to emerge.
In February 1934 the Aberdeen manager Paddy Travers
Paddy Travers
Patrick "Paddy" Travers was a football player and manager in the first half of the 20th century. He played for many clubs in his native Scotland and for Barnsley in England, before becoming involved in coaching, and later, managing....
accompanied Moore while on international duty against Belgium in order to help keep him away from alcohol. Travers was aware that Moore had developed a drink problem that would end his career prematurely. In May 1935 Moore was selected to play for the FAI XI in an away game against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
but he was declared unfit to play after drinking too heavily while travelling to the game. Other similar incidents resulted in Moore being released by Aberdeen. Moore then returned to Shamrock Rovers and in 1936 helped them win a third 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...
by scoring in his third final.
Irish international
When Moore began his international career in 1931 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
- based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
- based FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Moore, played for both teams.
FAI XI
Between 1931 and 1936 Moore made 9 appearances and scored 7 goals for the FAI XI. He made his international debut for the FAI XI on 26 April 1931 against SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
. Together with Tom Farquharson
Tom Farquharson
Tom Farquharson was an Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Cardiff City F.C. between 1921 and 1934. A dual internationalist, he also played for both Ireland teams - - the FAI XI and the IFA XI. In 1927 Farquharson was a member of the Cardiff City team that became the only non-English...
, Peter Kavanagh
Peter Kavanagh (Irish footballer)
Peter Kavanagh was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Bohemians and Celtic. Kavanagh was a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the IFA XI and the FAI XI. After leaving Celtic, Kavanagh had spells with several clubs before finishing his career with a works team...
, Jeremiah Robinson
Jeremiah Robinson
Jeremiah Robinson was an Irish soccer player during the 1920s and 1930s. He was also known as "Sam".Robinson was a tough defender during this era in the League of Ireland and was part of the All-Conquering Bohemians team of 1927/28 who won every trophy on offer that season - League of Ireland, FAI...
and 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...
, Moore was part of an FAI XI that gained a respectable 1-1 draw at the Montjuic Stadium
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is a stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Originally built in 1927 for the 1929 International Exposition in the city , it was renovated in 1989 to be the main stadium for the 1992 Summer Olympics...
in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. Moore marked his debut by scoring the FAI XI’s goal. He gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute when he received a pass from John Joe Flood
John Joe Flood
John Joe Flood, also referred to as Jonjo Flood or John Flood, was an Irish footballer who played as a forward for Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, Leeds United and Crystal Palace. As an international, he also played for the Irish Free State....
and then found himself in a one against one situation with the legendary Spanish goalkeeper, Ricardo Zamora
Ricardo Zamora
Ricard Zamora i Martínez was a Spanish footballer and manager. He played as a goalkeeper for, among others, RCD Espanyol, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. As an international he played for both the Catalan XI and Spain...
. Moore coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Zamora and into the back of the goal. The goalkeeper subsequently tore off his shirt in disgust and threw it into the back of the net, suffering the derision of his own fans.
Moore missed the return game against Spain due to injury, but then won his second FAI XI cap 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...
on 5 May 1932. He scored the FAI XI’s second goal in a 2-0 victory. Moore shot from twenty yards and bought the 30,000 crowd to their feet. However the highlight of Moore’s international career came on 25 February 1934 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...
when the FAI XI made their World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
debut in a qualifier
1934 FIFA World Cup qualification
Estonia v Lithuania was not played, since neither team could qualify with a win.Sweden qualified.-Group 2:----Spain qualified.-Group 3:Italy qualified, as Greece withdrew after the first match.-Group 4:--------...
against Belgium. He scored all four goals for the FAI XI as they came from 2-0, 3-1 and then 4-3 down to draw 4-4. As a result Moore became the first player ever to score four goals in a World Cup game. Two months later in another qualifier on 8 April 1934, Moore scored his seventh and last goal for the FAI XI in a 5-2 defeat 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...
.
The other major highlight of Moore’s international career came on 17 October 1936 when he masterminded the FAI XI in a 5-2 win against Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
, again at Dalymount Park. Despite not scoring himself, he helped set up four of the goals. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on 6 December 1936 in 3-2 home defeat against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
.
IFA XI
On 17 October 1932, while playing for AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, Moore made his one and only appearance for the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
, in a game against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
. Together with Jimmy Dunne
Jimmy Dunne
James Dunne , commonly referred to as Jimmy Dunne, was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton...
, Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Kelly (Irish footballer)
Jimmy Kelly was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952...
and Harry Duggan
Harry Duggan (footballer)
Henry Anthony Duggan , commonly referred to as Harry Duggan, is a former Irish footballer. Described as a talented and speedy right winger, he played for both Leeds United and Newport County...
, Moore was one of four players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
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,...
to feature in the IFA XI forward line. Although England won 1-0, the IFA selectors retained the same team for the game against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 7 December. However injury prevented Moore from winning a second IFA XI cap and the 1932 game England remains the only time that Moore and Dunne played together at international level.
Coaching career
During the 1940s Moore coached the famous Dublin junior schoolboy club Stella Maris where he nurtured the talents of future Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
international Ronnie Whelan, Sr.. Legend has it, Whelan was initially spotted by Moore's wife, who then brought him to the attention of her husband.
Honours
Shamrock RoversShamrock 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...
- 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...
- Winners 1931-32: 1
- FAI CupFAI CupThe 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...
- Winners 1931, 1932, 1936: 3
- 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...
- Winners 1931-32: 1
- Leinster Senior CupLeinster Senior Cup (football)The Leinster Senior Cup is an association football cup competition organised by the Leinster Football Association. It contested by the top League of Ireland sides based in the province in Leinster along with four Leinster Senior League sides and the two Leinster Junior Cup finalists. The Cup was...
- Winners 1930, 1933: 2
Sources
- The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392
- The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)