Sean Fallon (footballer) facts for kids
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Fallon in 2012
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 July 1922 | ||
| Place of birth | Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 18 January 2013 (aged 90) | ||
| Playing position | Centre-forward, Full-back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1946 | Longford Town | ||
| 1947 | Sligo Distillery | ||
| 1948–1949 | Sligo Rovers | 17 | (4) |
| 1949–1950 | Glenavon | 17 | (0) |
| 1950–1958 | Celtic | 254 | (14) |
| Total | 288 | (18) | |
| National team | |||
| 1950–1955 | Republic of Ireland | 8 | (2) |
| 1950 | Irish League XI | 1 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1962–1975 | Celtic (Asst. Manager) | ||
| 1975 | Celtic (Acting Manager) | ||
| 1980–1981 | Dumbarton | ||
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Seán Ó Fallúin | ||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Full-Back | ||
| Born | 31 July 1922 Sligo, Ireland |
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| Died | 18 January 2013 (aged 90) | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
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? – ?
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Craobh Rua | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
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1946–1948
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Sligo | ||
Sean Fallon (born July 31, 1922, died January 18, 2013) was a famous Irish football player. He played professionally and was known for his time with Celtic. When he passed away, he was the oldest living player who had played for the Republic of Ireland national football team.
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Sean Fallon's Football Journey
Sean Fallon played for Celtic from 1950 to 1958. He played in different positions, including full-back and centre forward. During his time at Celtic, he played in 254 games and scored 14 goals. He also played eight times for the Republic of Ireland on the international stage.
Early Football Days
Sean Fallon began his football journey with St Mary's Juniors. He also played Gaelic football for a team called Craobh Ruadh. In April 1948, Fallon scored two goals for the Sligo county team. This was in a game against Kerry during a National Football League quarter-final.
He also played for other teams like McArthurs, Sligo Distillery, and Longford Town. While playing for Longford, he was chosen to play for the junior Republic of Ireland national football team. In August 1948, he joined his hometown club, Sligo Rovers. The next year, in August 1949, Fallon became a professional player for Glenavon F.C..
Joining Celtic
In March 1950, Fallon joined Glasgow Celtic. He had impressed them with his performance for the Irish League XI against the League of Ireland XI.
Sean Fallon's strong connection with Celtic began in a special way. The son of a Celtic legend, Jimmy McMenemy, saved Fallon's sister from drowning. Fallon invited Joe McMenemy to his home. Joe returned the kindness by sending Sean gifts, including a Celtic shirt and a book about the club. Sean's dream came true when he played his first league game for Celtic. This was against Clyde in the last game of the 1949–50 season.
Winning the Scottish Cup
Within a year, Sean helped Celtic win the Scottish Cup. They beat Motherwell 1–0 in the 1951 Scottish Cup Final. Fallon later said that walking off Hampden Park after that win felt like he had achieved everything he ever wanted. He had become a Celtic player and a Scottish Cup winner in just one year.
Two years later, Fallon scored a goal in the 1953 Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen. His strong performances for Celtic earned him the nickname "The Iron Man." He described himself as "just an ordinary player with a big heart and a fighting spirit."
Later Years at Celtic
The late 1950s were a tough time for Celtic. However, there were two big wins that brought joy to their fans. The first was winning the Double in the 1953–54 season. Fallon broke his collarbone in a game against Hearts in October. He had to leave the field for twenty minutes. In those days, teams could not use substitutes. He returned to the game with his arm in a sling and kept playing!
Sean had become the team captain in 1952. But after his injury, Jock Stein took over the captaincy. Fallon was fully fit for another important game. Celtic won 7–1 against their big rivals Rangers in the 1957 Scottish League Cup Final. This match is famously known as Hampden in the sun.
Sean Fallon's Coaching Career
Fallon had to stop playing football in 1958 because of an injury. But he remained very important to Celtic. He became the assistant manager to Jock Stein in 1965. The Celtic chairman first suggested that Fallon should be the manager and Stein his assistant. But Stein did not agree. He said he would take a job in England instead. So, the chairman offered Stein the main manager's job.
Sean Fallon was a key part of Celtic's success when Jock Stein was manager. He was Stein's trusted right-hand man. Fallon was very good at convincing young, talented players to join Celtic. Many of these players became very important for the club. Some famous names he helped bring in include David Hay, Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, and Packie Bonner.
When Jock Stein had a serious car crash in 1975, Fallon took over as the temporary manager. Later, he briefly managed another team called Dumbarton.
In his later years, Fallon also became a director at Dumbarton and then at Clyde.
Sean Fallon helped raise the league championship flag at Celtic Park on August 4, 2012. He passed away on January 18, 2013, at the age of 90.
