Ronnie Nolan

Ronald Christopher Nolan (22 October 1933 – 21 June 2023) was an Irish footballer who played as a wing-half. At international level, he represented the Republic of Ireland national team, making ten appearances and scoring twice.

Ronnie Nolan

Personal information
Full name	Ronald Christopher Nolan
Date of birth	(1933-10-22)22 October 1933
Place of birth	Dublin, Irish Free State
Date of death	21 June 2023(2023-06-21) (aged 89)
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)
International career
1954–1964	League of Ireland XI	33	(0)
1956–1962	Republic of Ireland	10	(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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.

Career

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.

Nolan shared a benefit game with Shay Keogh in May 1961.

The great service of 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 of service to the club.

Nolan also had a spell as player and 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, Noland won ten caps for the Republic of Ireland national 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. 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.

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

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

Nolan 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.

Death

Nolan died on 21 June 2023, at the age of 89.

Honours

Shamrock Rovers

• League of Ireland: 1953–54, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1963–64
• FAI Cup: 1955, 1956, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966
• League of Ireland Shield: 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66
• Leinster Senior Cup: 1963–64
• Dublin City Cup: 1952–53, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1957–58 1959–60, 1963–64, 1966–67
• Top Four Cup: 1955–56, 1957–58, 1965–66
• Hall of Fame: 1993

Bohemians

• FAI Cup: 1970

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