D.O.B. :15/01/1923
Place of Birth :Donneycarney
D.O.D. :18/02/2004
Place of Death :Dublin
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Tommy Eglington joined Everton from Shamrock Rovers on the same day as his Milltown teammate Peter Farrell in June, 1946. A superb professional whose dedication to training was reflected in a remarkably injury-free career, Eglington made 24 appearances for the Republic and six for Northern Ireland.
Although he scored just two goals for the Republic, he is best remembered as a creator of chances for those inside him. As one of the most effective of players of his generation, 'Eggo' on the burst was one of the great spectacles at Dalymount. His acceleration over ten yards was spectacular and his ability to deliver a precise pass at speed his trademark.
Eglington went on to make 450 first team appearances for Everton and with Peter Farrell, laid the basis for a dynasty in which more than half the first team at Goodison Park in the mid-1950's were Irish.
Perhaps his most memorable game was the 4-0 victory over Austria at Dalymount Park on March 25, 1953 which made amends for the 6-0 drubbing by the Austrians in Vienna the previous year.
Sheffield United's Alf Ringstead had put Ireland 2-0 ahead with goals in the 46th and 53rd minute before Eglington was on target on 74 minutes. A positional switch with West Brom's Reg Ryan saw Eglington move to an inside foward position and paid immediate dividends with the Everton man firing home Ireland's third goal with a well-placed shot. The 40,000 crowd were in a celebratory mood when West Ham's Frank O'Farrell added the fourth goal in the 80th minute.
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Debut:
16 June 1946 v Portugal
Clubs:
Shamrock Rovers, Everton, Tranmere, Cork Hibernians
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