Part 2: Paddy ‘Monty’ Monaghan played for Sligo Rovers during from 1932 until 1939 making a total of 165 appearances for the Bit O’Red and winning the League of Ireland. On Saturday evening at our 90th Birthday Celebrations in The Showgrounds his son Eugene will be present to represent the 2nd Decade of the club’s history (1938-1948). We will continue to share the stories of the other players who will be sharing the pitch with him throughout the week.
Paddy ‘Monty’ Monaghan holds the distinction of being the only player ever to be capped at senior international level for Ireland while playing for Sligo Rovers.
Described by the legendary Dixie Dean as the player who impressed him most following the Everton man’s debut for the Bit O’Red, ‘Monty’ won his caps against Switzerland and Germany in Rovers first season in league football, he also picked up an inter-league cap.
The Riverside native was one of the top players of his era. He joined Rovers from Distillery before they entered senior football in 1931. While he only stayed at the Showgrounds for six games initially, returning to Distillery, he then rejoined the Bit O’Red in 1932 and played a major role in a team which captured the Leinster Senior League, the Metropolitan Cup and the Intermediate Cup.
He lined out against St. James’s Gate in the Shield competition in 1934 as Rovers made their first appearance in senior football. His talents were immediately obvious and the then twenty-four year old helped Rovers win the League of Ireland Championship for the first time in the club’s history in 1936-37.
Two years later, ‘Monty’ was included in the Rovers team which reached the FAI Cup final for the first time. Alongside him was Dixie Dean, but Shelbourne lifted the trophy after a replay and ‘Monty’ left Rovers after the decider.
Ironicially Paddy’s two sons, life-long Rovers fans, Gerry and Eugene, were at the Aviva Stadium in 2011 as Rovers avenged that defeat to win another dramatic penalty shoot-out to retain the coveted trophy.
Paddy made a total of 165 appearances for Rovers, scoring a total of 96 goals, 57 of them in senior football.
Away from soccer, Monty worked initially for the former Western Wholesale company and later Fry Cadbury’s in Lord Edward Street.
He died in 1961, aged 48 years.
Profile from “A History of Sligo Rovers 1928-2016” by Sligo Rovers Heritage Group. This publication is on sale this week via our online shop.