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Fullname: Cornelius Tierney
aka: Con Tierney
Born: 22 April 1909
Died: […2 Oct 1942…. TBC]
Birthplace: Kilbirnie, Scotland
Signed: 21 Apr 1930 (loan); 30 July 1930
Left: 1 Aug 1932 (to Guildford City)
Position: Outside-Left
Debut: Queen’s Park 1-4 Celtic, Charity Cup, 3 May 1930
Internationals: none
Biog
Kilbirnie-born Cornelius Tierney was signed permanently by Celtic in July 1930 after impressing on a loan from Bo’ness which started in April 1930.
His debut came as a loan player against Queen’s Park in May 1930 when Celtic defeated their opponents 4-1 at Hampden in a Charity Cup tie. He played in the semi-final, 1-0 win over Clyde, and then in the final which Celtic lost to Rangers despite drawing 2-2 on goals and 4-4 on corners, with the result decided by a coin toss. It gave Rangers a clean sweep for the season.
It was said that “Con Tierney is the most promising player Celtic have tried at outside-left since Adam McLean departed“, but had a flaw of “a penchant for too-frequent cutting-in“.
His first league appearance for Celtic was v Kilmarnock, where it was remarked in a report:
“Tierney, if his finishing was not always up to the mark, made quite a satisfactory first appearance.”
First team starts would prove limited, playing in just seven league appearances in a spell in August and September 1930. He had a good record, with 4 wins and just one defeat in that run, with an incredible 21 goals scored across the team in those games in total (including a 6-0 victory over Hibs), although he never scored himself.
Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in the league (Sep 1930) was in part attributable to Tierney as the Aberdeen goalkeeper conceded the penalty that won Celtic the game after a foul on Tierney, the goalkeeper pushing over Tierney from behind after losing possession of the ball. Tierney was praised for his performance in a match report for that game too, so reflected well on him.
Despite the good record, Chic Geatons was preferred to Tierney, and the only match Tierney missed during his run at the start of the 1930/31 season was a 2-0 victory over Rangers at Celtic Park, with Geatons and McGrory brought back into the side.
He was part of a Celtic photo taken at Parkhead on 6 Sep 1930 for publicity for the 1931 US Tour, but he did not travel or get picked for the touring squad.
He was to move south to Guildford City at the end of the 1931/32 season.
He went on to play for Belfast Celtic on loan (4 Sep 1931), and whilst there played for the Irish League against the English League.
It is believed he passed away prematurely in 1942, at the age of just 33 [TBC].
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES | LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 1930-32 | 7 | – | – | – | 7 |
| Goals | 0 | – | – | – | 0 |
Honours with Celtic
none
Pictures
Links
Dundee Courier – Saturday 16 May 1936
wrote:OFF TO CANADA. tWO Fife footballers, Cornelius Tierney A and Tom Wishart, set off to-day on big adventure. The two are bound for the Dome Gold Mines Company, Northern Alberta. Perhaps they will dig for the yellow dust” in their spare time, but their chief business will be football. The Dome Mine officials are evidently soccer-minded. They wish to field a class side, and are in search of Scottish talent. The Fifers have been fixed up through an agent. Others may follow. * The two are experienced. Tierney, a versatile forward, is product of Hearts of Boath, and has had spells with Celtic. St Johnstone; and Exeter City.
Tierney, Cornelius
Birth Date
Birthplace
Occupation
Biographical Text
Tierney first came to prominence playing for Glasgow Celtic, before moving on to play for Boness and then St. Johnstone.
Tierney signed for Belfast Celtic, and whilst there played for the Irish League against the English League.
He signed for Guildford City in 1932 and his display in a friendly match against Exeter City reserves in 1933-34, resulted in him being watched by the Grecians on several occasions.
He signed for Exeter in the summer of 1934, and made his league debut against Clapton Orient in September 1934.
Staying at St James’ Park for one season, his only goal for the club was in a 3-1 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion in March 1935.
He was released at the end of the season.
According to the Dundee Courier of 2nd May 1936
“Cornelius Tierney and Tom Wishart, set off to-day on big adventure. The two are bound for the Dome Gold Mines Company, Northern Alberta. Perhaps they will dig for the yellow dust” in their spare time, but their chief business will be football. The Dome Mine officials are evidently soccer-minded. They wish to field a class side, and are in search of Scottish talent. The Fifers have been fixed up through an agent. Others may follow“
It is believed he may have passed away prematurely in 1942, at the age of just 33
