Denis Hannon

An inside- or centre-forward, Dinny Hannon 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, and had the honour of captaining the side. He also played in the 2-1 extra-time defeat by Netherlands in the quarter-final.

On making his début against Bulgaria, Hannon became the first man to play for both Ireland and the Irish Free State, having played six games for Ireland, including their first-ever victory over England at Belfast in 1913. Hannon won eight international caps in a 16-year career between 1908-24.

Hannon played for Bohemians before World War I, and was also on the books of the English club Bradford City as an amateur. After joining Athlone Town, and 16 years after winning the Irish Cup with Bohemians, Hannon won the Free State Cup (now the Football Association of Ireland Cup) in 1924 when he scored the only goal of the game played on St. Patrick’s Day. It was the first and only time Athlone had won the 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. Hannon qualified as a solicitor in 1915 and later worked for Roscommon County Council.