Jack Kirwan

Early years

Kirwan initially played Gaelic football for the Dublin county team and won an All-Ireland SFC medal with Dublin in 1894 when they defeated Cork by 1–2 to 0–5 after a replay. Although both the final and the replay finished level, Dublin were awarded the cup. He then played soccer joined Southport Central of the Lancashire League where he attracted the attentions of both Everton and Blackburn Rovers. He opted to sign for Everton in July 1898 and was subsequently used to replace John Cameron who had been sold to Tottenham Hotspur. He made his league debut for Everton against Preston N.E. in September 1898. During his one season at the club he made 24 league appearances and scored 5 goals. He also played a further 2 games in the FA Cup. While at Everton his teammates included among others Samuel Wolstenholme.

Tottenham Hotspur

After just one season at Everton, Kirwan followed John Cameron to Tottenham Hotspur where the latter was now manager. During his six seasons at Tottenham, he played alongside John Brearley and Vivian Woodward. Kirwan scored 97 goals in 347 games for the club. This included 23 in games in the FA Cup. He also helped the club win the Southern League in 1900 and the FA Cup in 1901. This saw Tottenham become the only club outside the English League to win the competition. Kirwan kept the ball used in the final until he died in 1959. In 1900, Kirwan also became the first Spurs player capped by Ireland.

Chelsea, and later years…

In September 1910, Kirwan moved to the Netherlands where he became the first professional manager at Ajax. In 1911, he led Ajax to the Dutch Second Class title and victory in a promotion play-off, thus guiding the club into the Dutch top flight for the first time. Kirwan returned to London after the outbreak of the First World War and was succeeded as Ajax coach by Jack Reynolds. Kirwan later coached Bohemians in his native country and Livorno in Italy for one season, before settling in the London area.

International

As of match played 16 January 2023 Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Kirwan goal

As a Gaelic footballer

Dublin

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 1894

As a soccer player

Tottenham Hotspur

FA Cup: 1900–01 Southern League: 1899–1900, runner up: 1901–02, 1903–04 Western League: 1903–04 Sheriff of London Charity Shield: 1902 Ireland

British Home Championship: 1903 (shared)