John Joe Dykes

John Joe Dykes played in the historic first Republic of Ireland (then the Irish Free State) international football match against Bulgaria at the Paris Olympics on 28 May 1924. He also played in the 2-1 extra-time defeat by Netherlands in the quarter-final, and in the friendly against Estonia the following day when he captained the side in the absence of regular skipper Denis Hannon. Dykes was schedule to play in Ireland’s first home international against the USA at Dalymount Park, Dublin, on 14 June 1924 (although some sources incorrectly say 16 June), but injury caused him to pull out at the last minute.

One of Ireland’s best defenders, Dykes won a winners’ medal in the Free State Cup (now the Football Association of Ireland Cup) with Athlone Town in 1924 in a game played on St. Patrick’s Day. It was the first and only time Athlone had won the FAI Cup (through 2025). They won the competition without conceding a goal and, again through 2025, remain one of only four teams to achieve that feat.

After several attempts to sign Dykes, the English club Aston Villa eventually secured his services in March 1925, where he would be re-united with former Athlone team-mate Tommy Muldoon. Sadly, four days later Dykes received serious injuries when blown from a roof he was working on after an explosion at an Athlone army barracks. The accident killed three people and ended Dyke’s playing career. In 1927 a benefit match to raise money for Dykes and his family was played between Sligo and Athlone Town.

Dykes was a joiner by trade and, in addition to football, was a fine athlete and handball player. His brother Freddie played football for Sligo Rovers. Dykes had the honour of being the first Sligoman to represent the Republic at international football and the first to win an FAI Cup winners’ medal. Sadly, his cup medal was stolen from his daughter’s house just before Christmas 2000.