Full name Thomas Moroney Years Team Date of birth 10 November 1923 Name Tommy Moroney | Place of birth Cork, Ireland Role Soccer player Died May 2, 1981 | |
194x-194x Cork Constitution (rugby) | ||
Playing position | ||
Tommy Moroney (10 November 1923 in Cork, Ireland – 2 May 1981) is a former Irish soccer and rugby union player. Moroney played soccer for Cork United, West Ham United, Evergreen United and Ireland. In 1949 he was a member of the Ireland team that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. He also represented both Cork Constitution and Munster at rugby union.
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Early years in Cork
Together with Frank O'Farrell, Moroney was a member of the successful Cork United team of the 1940s, helping them win several League of Ireland titles. A brilliant all-round sportsman, Moroney also played rugby union for Cork Constitution, helping them win the Munster Senior Cup three times. He also represented Munster, but with the Five Nations Championship suspended because of the Second World War, he never got the chance to play for the Ireland national rugby union team.
West Ham United
Moroney moved to West Ham United in 1947, making his debut in the English Second Division on 1 September 1947 against Millwall. In January 1948 he was joined at the Hammers by his former Cork United team mate, Frank O'Farrell. Moroney played 148 league games for the Hammers, scoring 8 goals. He also played a further three games for the club in the FA Cup. He played his last game for West Ham on 3 April 1953 in a 2–1 defeat against Fulham. He subsequently returned to Cork where he finished his playing career with Evergreen United.
Irish international
Moroney made 12 appearances for Ireland between 1948 and 1953. He scored his only goal for Ireland, on his international debut, in a 2–1 away defeat against Spain on 30 May 1948. He was also a member of the Ireland team that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. He played his last game for Ireland on 4 October 1953 against France in a World Cup qualifier.
Honours
Rugby Player
Cork Constitution
Soccer Player
Cork United