• General

  • Monday May 18th, 2015 @ 11:23

Tommy Dunne RIP

St Patrick's Athletic FC is in mourning after the passing of former club captain and Ireland international Tommy Dunne over the weekend.

Recognised as the best defender of his era in the League of Ireland, Tommy Dunne's standout performances at St Pat's saw him win full international honours. He made his Ireland debut against Holland in Rotterdam's Feijenoord Stadion in May 1956 in a 4-1 win, while Tommy made two further appearances for the national team in 1956 beating Denmark 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier before beating World champions West Germany 3-0 in Dublin. Dunne also appeared twice for the Ireland B team and made multiple appearances for the League of Ireland selection throughout his decade with the club.

Tommy had joined the Saints in the 1954-55 season after a short spell with Shamrock Rovers and over the course of the next decade became one of the most important players ever to wear our shirt. He immediately slotted in at centre back and helped the club to win the League of Ireland for two successive seasons. Tommy also won the Presidents Cup in 1955, the Dublin City Cup (both in 55/56) and the Shield (59/60).

As captain of the club, the defender was, and still is to this day, famous for leading the Saints to success in two FAI Cup finals in 1959 (vs Waterford) and 1961 (vs Drumcondra) - some of the 1959 final can be watched below or here

After making his European debut in 1961 against Dunfermline, Tommy remained at the heart of the Saints defence for 4 more years. He left in 1964 to play for Sligo before winning another league title with Dundalk in 1966/67 as a 35 year old veteran.

Up until last November, Tommy had been the only man to captain the club to success in the FAI Cup, so history was made last year when the only two FAI Cup winning captains of St Patrick's Athletic, Tommy Dunne and Ger O'Brien, met for the first time (see picture above).

St Patrick's Athletic would like to pass on its condolences to Tommy's wife Maura, children Gerard, Larry and Rachel and the rest of the Dunne family.

Tommy Dunne; Once a Saint. Always a Saint.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Funeral Arrangements
Reposing at the Brian McElroy Funeral Home, Crumlin Village on Tuesday from 2pm to 7.30pm. Funeral on Wednesday after 10am Mass in St. Agnes's Church, Crumlin Village to Mount Jerome Crematorium. No flowers please. Donations in lieu to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Next Fixture

Drogheda United / March 29th @ 7:45pm
Competition: League
Venue: Weavers Park
 
Team Pld Pts
Shelbourne616
Derry City611
Sligo Rovers69
Waterford FC68
Galway United FC67
Bohemian FC57
Shamrock Rovers56
St Patrick's Athletic66
Drogheda United54
Dundalk52

St Patrick's Athletic FC

Founded in 1929 the 'Saints' are the current FAI Cup holders and play in the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League at Richmond Park, in Inchicore Dublin 8, Ireland.

Contact Us

125 Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 E0Y7, Ireland

(+353) 1 454 6332
(+353) 1 454 6211