Dolan, Francis

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Personal

Fullname: Francis Dolan
aka: Frank Dolan
Born: 24 April 1870
Died: 12 February 1933
Birthplace: Old Monkland
Signed: 1890
Left: 5 September 1894 (to Coatdyke Gaelic)
Debut: Celtic 2-0 Cowlairs, League, 14 Mar 1891
Position: Centre-Half
Internationals: N/A
International Caps:N/A

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Biog

Centre-half Frank Dolan was signed by Celtic in 1890.

He was mostly a reserve team player but did make two competitive first team appearances. His debut came in a 2-0 league victory at Parkhead on 14th March 1891 when he stepped in for the injured Jimmy Kelly.

The following week Jimmy Kelly was still injured but as the opposition was Rangers at Celtic Park, the management opted for Jimmy McGhee instead. It was to be something that the papers made a noise about on the club’s reluctance to play young Frank Dolan. The final score was 2-2.

He only played one more league game for Celtic’s first team (a 1-0 defeat by St Mirren away on 4th April 1891) before he left long after in 1894 to join Coatdyke Gaelic.

Frank Dolan’s brother Mick Dolan was Celtic’s first goalkeeper who had similarly played few games for Celtic, but together as part of the reserves they were in the Celtic Crusaders side that beat St Mirren Strollers 13-1 in the final of the Reserve XI Cup on 21 Feb 1891.

Writing in 1910, following the death of Mick Dolan, former team-mate Tom Maley recalled:

“His brother Frank was a centre-half very much above the average. He played good football, placing being the leading characteristic. The only little drawback was lack of speed and perhaps more apparent by contrast than it deserved otherwise. James Kelly was then on top form and his great recovery work and electrical dashes were so frequently on view for Parkhead frequenters that aught else lacking in those qualities was – well, tolerated.”

Frank Dolan passed away in Feb 1933.

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Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

none

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