Tell me about your early career?
I started off with a team called Bromley in Ballyfermot. I then started to play for CIE Ranch where I am back playing now! But I then went to play for Ballyfermot United in the Leinster Senior League. It was a great standard back then. Much better than now as there are a lot of leagues that have taken away from it.
How did you find the transition to the League of Ireland?
I was very fit at the time so when I went to Shelbourne I didn’t find it such a big adjustment.
You were a centre-forward in those days?
Yes when I started I was a striker. It was really only at Dundalk that I was asked to move back. Tommy Connolly signed me as a striker but because of injuries I was asked to move back to defence. I then moved back to St Pats and had a great year as a centre-forward again. Turlough O’Connor then re-signed me for Dundalk as a striker and again I was soon asked to move back to defence again!
How did your first period with Dundalk go?
It was a transition period for the club. But it was still very enjoyable. Mick Leach was there with Tommy and I learned a huge amount from him. I remember we played Glasgow Celtic in a friendly at Oriel Park and they showed an interest in signing me. But it came to nothing in the end. However, the money wasn’t really in the club at the time to compete like they had in the past. A lot of the players were not able to settle.
Why did you leave?
Turlough O’Connor came into the club and he informed me of an interest from Jimmy Jackson at St Pats. I told Turlough that I had no intention of leaving. But then he told me that I was not part of his plans. So that changed the goalposts with that decision! So I went to St Pats and had a very good year.
But then he asked you to return?
Turlie was visiting a cousin of his in Ballyfermot. I was out in the Garden when he pulled up outside in his Merc. I just thought he was coming in for a chat and a cup of tea. I couldn’t believe it when he asked me “How much would it take to get you back in Oriel?” I was surprised and asked him if he wanted me why did he release me. He admitted to me that he made a mistake which shows you the type of man he was. But then the next day Jim McLaughlin contacted me and asked me to join him at Shamrock Rovers. I rang Turlie up the next day and he confirmed his offer. So I weighed up the options over the following days and eventually selected Dundalk. I have never had any regrets as I had some great years there.
It was a very experienced squad with a lot of senior professionals. It was probably not a wise decision to make a mistake…
No it certainly wasn’t. We had very high standards. One memory stands out. It was the week of the Ajax game in Amsterdam. We had a match in Galway on the Sunday and were flying to Amsterdam the following day. The match in Galway was played in a downpour. Terryland Park was just a pitch of mud. We were 1-0 up in the last few minutes when Gino just gave me a suicide pass. I tried to pass it on but it stuck in the muck and their striker went straight through on goal. Luckily his shot just went wide. I knew I’d be in for it when we went in the dressing room. But Turlie just went beserk at me. There was a lot said and in the end I just went for him. We got the train back and Turlie just kept at me with comments. I told him where to go. The lads were telling me that I should calm down or I wouldn’t go to Amsterdam. But I just said if that’s what happens then fine. I was the first person to turn up at the airport the next morning and who was the next person to arrive? Of course it was Turlie! He walked up to me and I expected to be told that he didn’t want me on the trip and to go home. But instead he held out his hand and said “I was out of line” and apologised. I have nothing but the greatest respect for Turlie as a man and a manager.
What was your greatest memory of the 1988 success?
It would have to be the comeback against Derry City. It just went to show the character that existed in the team.
By that stage of the season you had been moved into midfield…
Yes I was actually moved about quite a bit after Harry was recalled to the team to tighten us up. I was up front, midfield and brought back when needed.
You are still regarded as the ‘penalty king’ at Oriel Park…tell me about your expertise from the penalty spot?
I think it was a match earlier in the season when I was playing up front. I was taken down in the box and I stuck away the penalty. Turlough just told me to stay on them. I never missed one with Dundalk…but I’ve missed plenty since I tell you!!!
Did you practice them?
Never! I tried to improve my game all the time but never once did I practice a penalty.
Did you feel under pressure when the penalty was given against Derry?
Not really. Nobody came up to me and said “Now John…concentrate!” They just let me get on with it. I remember it very vividly.
You then qualified for Europe again to face Red Star Belgrade…
Yes that was another great trip. They were a super team. I remember feeling how lucky we were because there was terrible poverty in Belgrade. But we were miles behind football wise. They had seven or eight Yugoslavia internationals in their line-up.
You stayed until 1990. Why did you leave the club?
Joey had left and was managing Galway United. Turlough came to me and told me that Galway had made an offer to sign me and told me I could go if I wanted to. He said that he didn’t want me to leave but that he had to start rebuilding his team. I was about 32 or 33 at the time and he said that it was probably a good contract to get at my age. So I went to Galway and Joey showed me around and explained what he wanted to do. The Chairman then also sold the club to me. I showed Turlough what Galway were offering me and he said that he couldn’t match it. He wished me the best of luck and we left on very good terms. I’d still meet him now and again and talk about old times.
And you are still playing today for CIE Ranch?
Yes indeed! We are in the cup final next Sunday!
