Flannagan, M

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Fullname: Matthew Flannagan or Michael Joseph Flannagan [see notes below & CGS Forum ]
aka: Sparrow Flannagan
Born: […1872…]
Died: […]
Birthplace Govan
Signed: May 1892
Left: 1892
Debut: Rangers 1-1 Celtic, League, 7 May 1892
Position: Outside-Right, Inside-Right
Internationals: N/A
*Not yet confirmed if his first name was Matthew or Michael Joseph

Biog

Celtic signed the outside-right Flannagan (whether his first name was Matthew or Michael Joseph is uncertain) from Benburb in 1892.

He made his first competitive appearance for the Bhoys in a 1-1 league draw at Rangers on 7th May 1892.

He played a total of only four league games but managed to notch a vital goal in a 3-2 league win over Abercorn as Celtic went on to take the club’s first league title, although it was his only appearance that whole season. Celtic had fought from being 2-1 behind at half-time in that game.

Celtic won the title by just the one point above Rangers who were second, so that goal was valuable.

Note: Some records claim he may have played one or two more games, but records in the early days weren’t as well kept as they were to be in later years.

Curiously, in retrospect, all of his league games for Celtic were against clubs that have since been liquidated and are now long gone:

  • Rangers (1-1)
  • Leith Athletic (2-0)
  • Third Lanark (3-1)
  • Abercorn (3-2)

Quite a neat little trivia fact on the man.

Notes

  1. He also played in various reserve matches for Celtic: He also played against; 25 Dec ’91 Reserves A v Whitlett Rangers 23 Apr ’91 Reserves H v Gairdoch 28 May ’92 1st Team A v 5th K.R.V. (Dumfries) 3 Sep ’92 Reserves H v Neilston; v Camelon, 16 April 1892.
  2. To time of writing, not yet confirmed if his first name was Matthew or Michael Joseph. See CGS forum for more details.Playing Career
  3. Possibly returned back to Benburb? See below

Playing Career

APPEARANCES LEAGUE SCOTTISH CUP LEAGUE CUP EUROPE TOTAL
1892-93 4 0 N/A N/A 4
Goals: 1 0 – – 1

Honours with Celtic

Scottish League

Pictures

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Forums

Back at Benburb in June 1896? (thx to @andyboyd1967 for this)

Ardrosan & Saltcoats Herald, 2 December 1892.
Another mention for Kilmarnock Strollers. (thx to Andyboyd1967 for this)