Thomas A. Muldoon (27 July 1897 – 12 October 1989)[2] 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 Olympic Games.

Tommy Muldoon
Personal information
Date of birth (1897-07-27)27 July 1897
Place of birth Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland
Date of death 12 October 1989(1989-10-12) (aged 92)[1]
Place of death Birmingham, England
Position(s) Midfielder / Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1919–1924 Athlone Town
1924–1927 Aston Villa
1927–1929 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (0)
1929–1931 Walsall
International career
1924–1927 Irish Free State 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early years

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Muldoon initially attended Deer Park National School in Athlone before completing his education, between 1912 and 1914, at St. Mary's Intermediate School. During the First World War he joined the Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment and subsequently served in British India.[3]

Club career

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After the War, Muldoon began playing football for Athlone Town. In 1924 he helped them win the FAI Cup, beating Bohemians and Shelbourne in early rounds, before defeating Fordsons in final. Together with Dinny Hannon, Frank Ghent, Paddy Reilly and John Joe Dykes, Muldoon was one of five Athlone Town players subsequently included in the Irish Free State squad for the 1924 Olympic Games.[4]

In October 1924 Muldoon signed for Aston Villa and went on to make 34 first team appearances during his three-year stay. In September 1927 he moved to Tottenham Hotspur but failed to make the first XI. In July 1929 he returned to the Midlands where he played over 50 league games for Walsall.[3]

Irish international

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Between 1924 and 1927 Muldoon made 5 appearances for the Irish Free State. As a member of the squad that competed at the 1924 Olympic Games, he made his debut for the Free State against Bulgaria in their first ever senior international on 28 May. At the same tournament he also played against the Netherlands on 2 June. [5] Then on the following day, Muldoon played against Estonia in a friendly. [6] On 14 June 1924 he played in another friendly against the United States in a 3–1 win at Dalymount Park. [7] His last international appearance was in the 2–1 defeat to Italy B on 23 April 1927. Together with Mick O'Brien, Harry Duggan and Joe Kendrick, he became one of the first four English League based players to play for the Irish Free State. .[8] Muldoon was injured during the game and finished it as a limping passenger. [9]

Honours

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Athlone Town

References

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  1. ^ Carey, Tadhg. When We Were Kings: The Story of Athlone Town's 1924 FAI Cup Triumph Hardcover. ISBN 978-0956211101.
  2. ^ Tommy Muldoon at Olympedia
  3. ^ a b Matthews, Tony (2004). Who's Who Of Aston Villa. ASIN 1840188219.
  4. ^ "History of Athlone Town".
  5. ^ "1924 Olympic Games at Rsssf".
  6. ^ "Viga". soccernet.ee.
  7. ^ "United States results at Rsssf".
  8. ^ "Statistics: Republic of Ireland [Powered by tplSoccerStats]". www.soccerscene.ie.
  9. ^ Ryan, Sean (1997). The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story. ASIN 1851589392.
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