 | ||
| Full name | Transport Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1935 | |
| Ground | Carlisle Grounds Harold's Cross Stadium | |
| League | League of Ireland Leinster Senior League | |
Transport Football Club is anIrish association football club who played in theLeague of Ireland for fourteen seasons from1948–49 to1961–62.[1] They currently play in theLeinster Senior League.[2] Like several earlier League of Ireland clubs, such asSt James's Gate,Jacobs,Midland Athletic,Fordsons and the current teamDundalk, Transport had their origins as a factory or works team. They were effectively the football team ofCóras Iompair Éireann.[3]
In1948–49 when theLeague of Ireland was expanded from ten to twelve team, together withSligo Rovers, Transport was one two teams invited to join. In 1946–47 they had beenLeinster Senior League champions. In their debut season they finished fifth and they repeated this feat in1956–57. These were their best two performances in the league. At the end of the1961–62 season, the league was reduced to ten teams. On this occasion both Transport and Sligo Rovers failed to get re-elected.[1][4]
| Stat | Opponent | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biggest League Win | Sligo Rovers | 6–0 | 16 March1958 |
| Biggest League Defeat | Cork Hibernians | 1–10 | 20 March1960 |
The highlight of Transport's time in theLeague of Ireland was winning the 1949–50FAI Cup. The team was managed by Matt Giles, an uncle ofJohnny Giles. After knocking outWaterford,Bohemians andSligo Rovers in the early rounds, Transport defeatedCork Athletic in the final played over three games. The original final and first replay both finished 2–2 before Transport won the third game 3–1.[4][5][3][6]
After leaving the league, Transport rejoined theLeinster Senior League. In 1962–63 they won their second Leinster league title. They also won theFAI Intermediate Cup in 1963–64, 1965–66 and 1973–74. In 1975 they moved to the Transport Club inCrumlin, Dublin. Having some success through the years. In 2017 they withdrew from the Leinster Senior League for a Season. Returning in June 2018 to Premier Sunday.[citation needed]
Between1948 and1951, Transport played their home matches at theCarlisle Grounds inBray,County Wicklow.[7][8] Between1951 and1962 they played atHarold's Cross Stadium inDublin.
On 26 July 1948,Peter McDonald represented Ireland in the1948 Olympic Football Tournament. He played in Ireland's only game in the competition against theNetherlands. He became the first Transport to represent Ireland at international level. The following Transport players also represented Ireland, the majority either before or after playing for Transport.
In1948–49 Bernie Lester, with 12, was joint top goalscorer in the League of Ireland.
