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IFA Ireland XI - 1950 British Home Championship
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IFA Ireland XI - 1950 British Home Championship
Football - 1950 British Home Championship - Wales 0 IFA Ireland XI 0
The Ireland Team Group before the game at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.
Back (left to right): N. Lockhart (Coventry), Danny Blanchflower (Barnsley), H. Kelly (Fulham), G. Bowler (Hull City), S. Smyth (Wolves), Reg Ryan (West Brom).
Front: J. McKenna (Huddersfield), R. Brennan (Birmingham), Con Martin (Aston Villa; captain), Tom Aherne (Luton Town), Davy Walsh (West Brom).
The game was the last time the Belfast-based IFA fielded an all-Ireland team. The team included four players - Tom Aherne, Reg Ryan, Davy Walsh and the captain, Con Martin - who were born in what is now the Republic of Ireland. Since this game was also a qualifier for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, the situation led to controversy. All four players had previously played for the Dublin-based FAI XI in their qualifiers. As a result the four players actually played for two different associations in the same FIFA World Cup tournament.
FIFA intervened, after complaints from the FAI, and subsequently restricted players eligibility based on the political border
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Media ID 6267111
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures the historic moment of the IFA Ireland XI team group before their game at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham in the 1950 British Home Championship. The Belfast-based team consisted of talented players from both Northern Ireland and what is now the Republic of Ireland. Standing tall at the back are N. Lockhart, Danny Blanchflower, H. Kelly, G. Bowler, S. Smyth, and Reg Ryan. In front of them are J. McKenna, R. Brennan, Con Martin (the captain), Tom Aherne, and Davy Walsh. This match marked a significant turning point for Irish football as it was to be the last time that an all-Ireland team would represent IFA in international competition due to political divisions within Ireland. Controversy surrounded this game as four players - Tom Aherne, Reg Ryan, Davy Walsh and captain Con Martin - had previously played for Dublin-based FAI XI in World Cup qualifiers held by FIFA. FIFA intervened after complaints from FAI and subsequently restricted player eligibility based on political borders rather than allowing players to represent different associations within one tournament. This image not only showcases a remarkable group of skilled athletes but also serves as a reminder of how politics can impact sports on an international stage.
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