Tom Farquharson

Early career

As a youth, Farquharson played Gaelic football before taking up association football with Annually in 1916. He helped the side reach the final of the Leinster Minor Cup, held at Shelbourne Park, where they defeated Olympic B 4–2. Annually folded in 1919 after being unable to secure suitable playing grounds. Farquharson instead began playing for a Catholic Young Men's Society (CYMS). However, he eventually left Dublin because of his Republican sympathies during the Irish War of Independence. He was described as a "non-violent member" of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), a role that included running messages for the group and transporting people to safehouses. A 19-year-old student at the time, he was arrested along with his friend Seán Lemass, later to become Taoiseach, for pulling down British Army wanted posters in St Stephen's Green. This proved embarrassing to Farquharson's father, who conducted business with the British. Farquharson and Lemass were held at Mountjoy Prison but Farquharson was released on bail by a British Army Major who was a friend of his father on the basis that he would leave Ireland. He was sent to work in Blackwood, Caerphilly, in South Wales, gaining employment as either a carpenter or a painter and decorator. On arriving in Wales, he took up rugby union, playing as a full back for his local side Blackwood. He later went to watch local Welsh Football League side Oakdale who found themselves short of a goalkeeper for a match.…

When Farquharson began his international career in 1923 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland – based Irish Football Association (IFA) and the Irish Free State – based Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAIFS) claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result, several notable Irish players from this era, including Farquharson, played for both teams. Between 1923 and 1927 Farquharson played seven times for the IFA XI. He made his debut for the IFA XI on 3 March 1923 in a 1–0 defeat to Scotland. On 10 October 1923, Farquharson was a member the IFA XI that beat England 2–1 at Windsor Park. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI on 28 February 1925 in a 3–0 defeat to Scotland. His appearances for the side were limited due to the presence of Elisha Scott.

Irish Free State side

Between 1929 and 1931 Farquharson also played four times for the FAIFS XI. He had made his debut for an FAIFS XI shortly after winning the 1927 FA Cup with Cardiff, playing in a charity match against a Leinster Football Association XI. The match was regarded as unofficial, which meant the players were not awarded caps. He made his competitive debut for the side on 20 April 1929 in a 4–0 win against Belgium at Dalymount Park. On 11 May 1930 he won his second cap for the FAI XI when he played against Belgium again, helping his side to a 3–1 away win. In…

Farquharson was born on 4 December 1900 at 3 Lismore Cottages, Botanic Avenue, Dublin. He was the third child born to a Presbyterian father, Thomas Farquharson, a sanitary contractor, and a Catholic mother, Margaret Cassin, a dressmaker. Both of his parents hailed from Dublin and earned enough income to afford a live-in servant. Raised as a Catholic, he was brought up in the football heartland of Drumcondra at the family home in Golden Acre. The family later moved to Jones Road and his father became a reputable master builder and contractor in the area. Tom was educated at a school run by the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

After moving to Wales, Farquharson joined the order of the Benedictines. His wife Pearl hailed from Skerries in Dublin and the pair had five children together, three girls and two boys. Farquharson was believed to have carried a handgun in his kitbag during his playing career "for protection" following his involvement with the IRA in his youth. Several former teammates of his verified the fact and several claimed to have seen the weapon; Ernie Curtis stated in an interview "Tom told me about being on the move from house to house – and that he always carried a gun. He opened up his kit bag and there it was!" Eddie Jenkins also recalled an incident when Farquharson was annoyed by teammate George Russell, who he believed was showing off, and produced the weapon before he tongue-in-cheek "threatened to shoot him if he didn't behave". Farquharson and his family lived on Allensbank Road in Heath, Cardiff, before later moving to Cyncoed in the northern part of the city. Following his retirement from football, Farquharson returned to his work as a painter and decorator. He later opened a tobacconist's in Cardiff City Centre. In July 1948, Farquharson was convicted of illegal distribution of Irish sweepstakes tickets and was fined £250. He ran his shop until he and his wife decided to emigrate to Canada; all five of his children had emigrated there in previous years. His daughter Pam later described her father as "a very passive, quiet and private man." Farquharson's son Donald…