Who was the first non-white footballer to play for Ireland?

**irishultra** · 11/01/2009, 4:20 PM

Bit of trivia here, anybody know?

**strangeirish** · 11/01/2009, 4:33 PM

Chris Hughton?

**pineapple stu** · 11/01/2009, 4:36 PM

Was here some black lad back in the 1890s?

Hughton would be the first of the modern era alright.

**irishultra** · 11/01/2009, 4:42 PM

tbh chris hughton was born and grew up in a place that in terms of diversity was years ahead of ireland. Yeah I'd say the answer is him but I'd be more looking for players who grew up in Ireland.

mcgrath would be a much more prime example, because his mother actually met his father in Dublin. same with curtis fleming.

**pineapple stu** · 11/01/2009, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

tbh chris hughton was born and grew up in a place that in terms of diversity was years ahead of ireland. Yeah I'd say the answer is him but I'd be more looking for players who grew up in Ireland.

So who was the first non-white Irish reared (but not necessarily Irish born) footballer to play for Ireland?

Bit of a pointless question really.

**irishultra** · 11/01/2009, 4:46 PM

hahah yeah but well i just want to know. this 1890's player i wonder who it was. it wouldnt suprise me though.

**livehead1** · 11/01/2009, 5:57 PM

Ireland must at some stage have fielded an all black defence, i.e. Phelan, McGrath, Hughton, and Babb.

**pineapple stu** · 11/01/2009, 5:59 PM

Hughton had retired (91?) before Babb came along (94).

Fleming for Hughton is a possibility, but don't think it happened.

**tricky_colour** · 11/01/2009, 6:08 PM

Did we once have an asian keeper?

**Splurge** · 11/01/2009, 6:16 PM

Does freckly ginger count?

**pineapple stu** · 11/01/2009, 6:24 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Did we once have an asian keeper?

Are you thinking of Tom Farquahar?

**Supreme feet** · 11/01/2009, 6:29 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Did we once have an asian keeper?

You're probably thinking of Alex O'Reilly. Played for us up until U-21, was part of Brian Kerr's U-18 European Champions, last seen playing beach football for England.

**rambler14** · 11/01/2009, 6:41 PM

Was Stephen Reid the first black captain when he played vs Holland?

**pineapple stu** · 11/01/2009, 6:47 PM

McGrath must have been captain at some stage?

**Noelys Guitar** · 11/01/2009, 6:49 PM

Chris Hughton Ireland v USA at Dalymount on St Patrick's day 1979?. Great match. Ireland 2-0 down. Came back and won 3-2. Johnny Giles was manager. Giles had an excellent relationship with Black players in England when racism was mainstream in the 70's. Cyril Regis and Laurie Cunningham commended Giles for his treatment of Black players in England during Giles time as manager of West Brom.

**tricky_colour** · 11/01/2009, 7:55 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Are you thinking of Tom Farquahar?

Not really

**Crosby87** · 11/01/2009, 9:17 PM

Ohh ahh Paul Mcrath ohh ahh paul mcrath.
But seriously the answer is the thin lizzy guy, right? I mean didint Phil play a half when he was 18 for the U-18s? Pretty sure he did. and he scored.
Isnt Van Morrison Irish? He must be Black, right?

**theworm2345** · 11/01/2009, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

Ohh ahh Paul Mcrath ohh ahh paul mcrath.
But seriously the answer is the thin lizzy guy, right? I mean didint Phil play a half when he was 18 for the U-18s? Pretty sure he did. and he scored.
Isnt Van Morrison Irish? He must be Black, right?

He was Brazilian after all.