Patsy McGonagle

A full-back or centre-half, Patsy McGonagle was one of the two travelling reserves (along with Bill Brennan for Ireland in the Olympic qualifying game against Netherlands at Portsmouth in 1948. The son of a Donegal farmer, McGonagle won footballing honours with Dublin clubs Drumcondra, Shelbourne, and Bohemians, and then in Northern Ireland with Derry City for three seasons. He played inter league football for both the North and South.

McGonagle joined the Irish Army after leaving school and was a lieutenant stationed at The Curragh when he joined Bohemians FC. He later became a commandant before retirement in the 1970s. McGonagle’s son, also Patsy, was a famous athletics coach and was manager of the Irish Olympic athletics team at four Games.

A keen golfer, Patsy senior was a founding member, former captain, and president of the Ballybofey and Stranorlar Golf Club in Donegal. McGonagle was also a fine athlete and rugby player in his Army days. When he died, he was buried with full military honours.