Jimmy Dunne

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Jimmy Dunne bigraphy, stories - Irish footballer and manager

Jimmy Dunne : biography

3 September 1905 – 14 November 1949

For other people with the same name, see Jimmy Dunne (disambiguation).

James "Jimmy" Dunne (3 September 1905 – 14 November 1949) was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Sheffield United, Arsenal and Southampton. Dunne was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams: the FAI XI and the IFA XI.

Dunne was the first Irishman to figure prominently in the English League scoring records. In the 1930–31 season he scored 41 league goals for Sheffield United. This became a club record and remains the most league goals scored by an Irishman during a single English League season. Dunne also scored 30 or more First Division goals in three consecutive seasons between 1930 and 1933. He excelled at either centre forward or inside forward and was outstanding with his head. On 27 September 1930 he scored a hat-trick of headers against Portsmouth. He was a fringe member of the great Arsenal side of the 1930s before finishing his career at Shamrock Rovers.

Dunne died suddenly from a heart attack, at the age of 44, on 14 November 1949. His two sons, Tommy and Jimmy, also played in the League of Ireland for St. Patrick’s Athletic. Tommy also played for Shamrock Rovers. His nephew, another Tommy Dunne, also played for Rovers and another nephew Christy Doyle, played for Shelbourne and the Republic of Ireland.

Irish international

When Dunne began his international career in 1928 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland – 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 Dunne, played for both teams.

IFA XI

Between 1928 and 1932 Dunne made 7 appearances and scored 4 goals for the IFA XI. Dunne made his debut for the IFA XI on 2 February 1928 in a 2–1 defeat against Wales. He won his second cap for the IFA XI on 20 October 1930 against England and scored in a 5–1 defeat. During 1931 he scored a further three goals for the IFA XI and as a result scored 4 goals in four consecutive appearances.

FAI XI

Between 1930 and 1939 Dunne also made 15 appearances and scored 13 goals for the FAI XI. He made his debut for the FAI XI on 11 May 1930 in an away game against Belgium. Dunne marked his debut with a brilliant all round performance, scoring twice in a 3–1 win. He also scored on his home debut for the FAI XI on 17 March 1936 in a 1–0 win against Switzerland. In May 1936, during a European tour, he scored five goals for the FAI XI. On 3 May he scored twice in a 3–3 draw with Hungary. On 3 May he also scored in a 4–1 defeat to a Rhineland XI and then on 9 May scored twice in a 5–1 win against Luxembourg. On 10 October 1937 Dunne scored for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier against Norway. Norway, who won the game 3–2, later complained that Dunne was ineligible, having played for the IFA XI, who were not members of FIFA. The complaint was subsequently withdraw and on 7 November, Dunne scored in the return which finished as a 3–3 draw. He scored his last goal for the FAI XI in a 3–2 win over Poland on 13 November 1938 and made last appearance against Germany on 23 May 1939.

Honours

Player

Shamrock Rovers

League of Ireland:

  • 1937–38, 1938–39

FAI Cup:

  • 1940

League of Ireland Shield:

  • 1924–25, 1937–38, 1941–42

Leinster Senior Cup:

  • 1938
Arsenal

English Champions:

  • 1933-34

Coach

Bohemians

Dublin and Belfast Intercity Cup:

  • 1945

Club career

Early years

Dunne initially played junior football. However his career was put on hold during the Irish Civil War when he was interned by the Irish Free State authorities for alleged Republican sympathies. His brother, Christy, was an active Republican. He subsequently joined Shamrock Rovers and played a number of games for the club’s senior team. A scout recommended him to New Brighton, then playing in the English Third Division North. Dunne joined New Brighton in November 1925 and made an instant impact, scoring six goals in eight league games.The Boys In Green – The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan (ISBN 978-1-85158-939-5)