Irish football mourns Con Martin
Sunday, February 24, 2013
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Con Martin, who won caps for both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and featured in a famous win against England in 1949, has passed away at the age of 89.
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Former Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland international Con Martin has passed away at the age of 89.
Martin won 30 caps for Ireland between 1946 and 1956 and six for Northern Ireland from 1947 to 1950 before a loophole regarding dual eligibility was closed. He is most fondly remembered as the man who scored one of the goals in a 2-0 win for Ireland against England at Goodison Park in 1949, England's first ever home defeat by a team from outside the United Kingdom.
Despite being best known as a centre-half, Martin made his debut for Ireland as a goalkeeper, against Spain in 1946, and played a full season in goal for Aston Villa FC. He also turned out for Drumcondra FC, Glentoran FC, Leeds United AFC and served as player-manager of Dundalk FC. Con's son Mick won 52 caps for Ireland and currently works as a scout for the national side, while his grandson Owen Garvan captained Ireland's Under-21 team.
"Con Martin will go down in history as one of Irish football's great players and his family continued that tradition with his sons playing the game to a very high level," said Football Association of Ireland (FAI) president Paddy McCaul. "He will be sadly missed and will always be remembered for his contribution to the famous victory over England in 1949."
