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Tommy Breen (27 April 1912 – 2 March 1988) was an Irish footballer who played as a goalkeeper for, among others, Belfast Celtic, Manchester United, Linfield and Shamrock Rovers. Breen was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams: the IFA XI and the FAI XI.
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Breen | ||
| Date of birth | 27 April 1912 | ||
| Place of birth | Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 2 March 1988 (aged 75) | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Drogheda Commercials | |||
| Drogheda United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1929–1932 | Newry Town | ||
| 1932–1937 | Belfast Celtic | ||
| 1937–1939 | Manchester United | 65 | (0) |
| 1939–1944 | Belfast Celtic | ||
| 1944–1946 | Linfield | ||
| 1946–1947 | Shamrock Rovers | 11 | (0) |
| 1947–1948 | Glentoran | 14 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 1935–1946 | Ireland (IFA) | 13 | (0) |
| 1937–1947 | Ireland (FAI) | 5 | (0) |
| 1932–1946 | Irish League XI | 8 | (0) |
| 1946–1947 | League of Ireland XI | 3 | (0) |
| 1935 | Ireland/Wales XI | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Breen replaced Elisha Scott as first-choice goalkeeper for both Belfast Celtic and the IFA XI and was rated by Billy Behan, one of his predecessors at Manchester United and a renowned scout, as one of the best goalkeepers Ireland ever produced. He was also the first Manchester United player ever to play for an FAI XI. During his career, Breen was involved in several controversies; in November 1937, he turned down the chance to play for the FAI XI in a 1938 World Cup qualifier to play for the IFA XI in the 1938 British Home Championship. Then, in 1944, he transferred from Belfast Celtic to their rivals Linfield after a financial dispute.
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