Ronnie Nolan

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Ronnie Nolan
Personal information
Full name Ronald Christopher Nolan
Date of birth (1933-10-22) 22 October 1933 (age 88)
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Position(s) Wing-half
Youth career
1951–1952 Johnville F.C.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1952–1969 Shamrock Rovers 297 (42)
1967 → Boston Rovers (loan) 9 (0)
1969–1974 Bohemians 19 (0)
National team
1954–1964 League of Ireland XI 33 (0)
1956–1962 Republic of Ireland 10 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
The Republic of Ireland national football team had a match in Sweden against the Swedish national football team in May 1960 – players of the team from left to right, standing; Seamus Dunne, Noel Dwyer, Charlie Hurley. Michael McGrath, Pat Saward; crouched: Joe Haverty, George Cummins, Dermot Curtis, Ronnie Nolan, Ambrose "Amby" Fogarty and Fionan "Paddy" Fagan.

Ronnie Nolan (born 22 October 1933 in Ringsend, Dublin) is an Irish former International footballer.

After earning one schoolboy cap in 1949 and captaining the international youths twice he made his Shamrock Rovers debut on 1 September 1952 in a Dublin City Cup game against Drumcondra. He went on to become part of the teams of the 1950s and was the scorer of a last minute winning goal in the 1956 FAI Cup final against Cork Athletic. The side, popularly known as Coad's Colts, enjoyed many memorable days during the 1950s, but that day was surely that side's most dramatic. He played in the club's first 18 games in European competition.

He shared a benefit game with Shay Keogh in May 1961 [1].

The great service of Ronnie Nolan to Rovers was marked by the presentation of a gold medal by the directors. This was a medal which was presented to any Rovers player who had 15 consecutive years service to the club.

Ronnie Nolan also had a spell as player/assistant manager at Bohemians during which time he picked up another FAI Cup winners medal in 1970. In all he played in 13 FAI Cup Finals.

A strong, uncompromising defender, Ronnie won 10 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team. His first cap came on 3 October 1956 in a 2–1 win over Denmark at Dalymount Park in a World Cup qualifying game [2]. He also won two Republic of Ireland B caps, scoring on his debut in Iceland in 1958 and won a record 33 League of Ireland XI caps.

He also coached Bank of Ireland in the Leinster Senior League Senior Division and coached the team to an All Ireland IBOA cup winning performance.

Ronnie Nolan worked in the Irish Glass Bottle Co Ltd in Ringsend Dublin while he continued his football career. Ronnie worked in the mould repair shop and became Mould Shop manager until his eventual retirement.

Ronnie was also a member of Newlands Golf Club and an enthusiastic and capable golfer and all round great sportsman and also a gentleman.

The FAI unveiled a commemorative alcove in his honour in August 2009 [3].

Honours[]

  • League of Ireland: 4
    • Shamrock Rovers 1953/54, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1963/64
  • FAI Cup: 7
    • Shamrock Rovers 1955, 1956, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966
    • Bohemians 1970
  • League of Ireland Shield: 8
    • Shamrock Rovers - 1954/55, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1962/63, 1963/64, 1964/65, 1965/66
  • Leinster Senior Cup (football)
    • Shamrock Rovers - 1963/64
  • Dublin City Cup: 7
    • Shamrock Rovers - 1952/53, 1954/55, 1956/57, 1957/58 1959/60, 1963/64, 1966/67
  • Top Four Cup: 3
    • Shamrock Rovers 1955/56, 1957/58, 1965/66
  • Hall of Fame
    • Shamrock Rovers - 1993

Sources[]

  • The Hoops by Paul Doolan and Robert Goggins (ISBN 0-7171-2121-6)
  • The Complete Who's Who of Irish International Football, 1945-96 (1996):Stephen McGarrigle
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