Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Early years
Aherne was born in Limerick, Ireland. As a youth, he initially emerged as a prominent hurler with Treaty Sarsfields and also played one game for Limerick. However he subsequently decided to concentrate on football and began his senior career with Limerick United where his teammates included Davy Walsh. During the Second World War, Aherne served in the Irish Army and was stationed at Crosshaven. His impressive performances in the League of Ireland attracted attention and in 1946 he was signed by Belfast Celtic.
Belfast Celtic
While at Belfast Celtic, Aherne played alongside Jackie Vernon, Billy McMillan, Robin Lawler and Johnny Campbell and helped them win the Irish Cup in 1947 and an Irish League title in 1948. Aherne was also at Celtic during the infamous Boxing Day riot which broke out during a game against local rivals Linfield. Within a few months, Aherne had left Celtic and signed for Luton Town. However, in May 1949, Aherne temporarily rejoined Celtic for their final tour before the club disbanded. Together with McMillan, Campbell, Lawlor, guest player Mick O'Flanagan and manager Elisha Scott, he went on the Celtic tour of the North America. The highlight of the 10 game tour came on 29 May when Celtic beat the reigning British champions, Scotland, 2–0.
Luton Town
Aherne signed for Luton Town in March 1949 for a fee of £6,000 and made his English League debut on 19 March in a 2–1 away defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the fact…
- Club
- Luton Town F.C. (1949–1957)
- Club
- Belfast Celtic F.C. (1946–1949)
- Club
- Limerick F.C. (1937–1946)
- Club
- Limerick Senior Hurling Team
- Club
- Ireland national football team (1946–1950)
- Club
- Republic of Ireland men's national association football team (1946–1953)
- Club
- Irish League representative team (1947–1948)
- National team
- Ireland
- National team
- Northern Ireland
Legacy
Player Belfast Celtic
Irish League Winners 1947–48: 1 Irish Cup: Winners 1946–47: 1 Runners Up 1948–49: 1 Luton Town
Second Division Runners Up 1954–55: 1
Clubs
- Limerick Senior Hurling Teamcurrent
- Limerick F.C.1937–1946
- Belfast Celtic F.C.1946–1949
- Ireland national football team1946–1950
- Republic of Ireland men's national association football team1946–1953
- Irish League representative team1947–1948
- Luton Town F.C.1949–1957
Played together with
- Aaron BrownLimerick F.C. · 2013–2013
Adam MurrayLuton Town F.C. · 2010–2010- Adrian AlstonLuton Town F.C. · 1974–1975
Aidan PriceLimerick F.C. · 2015–2015- Alan GarnerLuton Town F.C. · 1971–1975
- Alan HarperLuton Town F.C. · 1993–1994
Alan KochLimerick F.C.- Alan McCormackLuton Town F.C.
Alan NeilsonLuton Town F.C. · 2002–2005
Alan SheehanLuton Town F.C. · 2016–2016- Alan SheehanLuton Town F.C.
- Albert DawesLuton Town F.C. · 1936–1938
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Thomas Aherne, also referred to as Bud Aherne, was an Irish footballer and hurler. He played football for Belfast Celtic and Luton Town and was a dual internationalist, playing for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI. In 1949 he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. As a hurler he also played one game for Limerick.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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