Gentleman Johnny: the Irish soccer star who became a legend

He was the Dublin soccer player who became an international football star, captaining Manchester United and Ireland. In this extract from the Dictionary of Irish Biography's new book Irish Sporting Lives, James Quinn tells the story of Johnny Carey

John ('Johnny', ‘Jackie’) Carey was born 23 February 1919 at 4 Adelaide Place, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, the son of John Carey, a van driver, and Sarah Carey (née Byrne). Educated at Westland Row Christian Brothers School, he played soccer for Home Farm. Keen on all sports, he was a strong swimmer. He also played Gaelic football and, aged sixteen, was selected for the Dublin Gaelic football junior team, but the invitation was withdrawn when it was discovered he played soccer.

After joining St James’s Gate in Dublin in August 1936, he was spotted by a Manchester United scout and, two months later, joined United (then in the second division of the Football League) for a fee of £250. He made his first-team debut against Southampton in September 1937 at inside-left and performed well despite his side losing 2–1. United were promoted in his first season with the club, and in his first season in Division One (1938/9) Carey consolidated his position, making 34 league appearances and scoring 6 goals.

With the Football League suspended upon the outbreak of war in September 1939, Carey played for United in wartime regional leagues and guested for other teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Middlesbrough until 1943. On 17 May 1941 he scored the winner for United in a 1–0 victory over Burnley to win the Lancashire Cup.

He also guested occasionally in League of Ireland games with Shamrock Rovers and played in a 3–2 defeat for a League of Ireland XI against a Scottish League XI at