Bobby McFarlane

Bobby McFarlane
Bobby McFarlane
AppsGoals
League 180
FAI Cup 80
Shield 31
City Cup 21
Leinster Cup 10
Others 10
Totals 332
1942-43 100
1943-44 232
Totals 332
Total Appearances: 34
Total Goals: 2
Position: IR
Nationality: NI
Debut: 07-Feb-43, FAI Cup, (A) v. St James's Gate

Bio:

Inside right Bobby McFarlane had been a teammate of Johnny Lavery during his two-season spell with Glentoran in the 1934-36 period where he made 24 appearances and scored 3 goals. Recipient of a schoolboy international cap, he had subsequent periods in the Irish League with Belfast Celtic, Larne and Distillery before heading for the League of Ireland, playing for Shelbourne and Cork.

His two seasons at Cork were his most successful. In 1940-41 he was on the outstanding Cork team that won the League-Cup Double, scoring 7 goals in the League campaign and playing in the 3-1 FAI Cup victory over Waterford.

A year later Cork took the League title again (Bobby contributed 2 goals) but he failed to make the FAI Cup final line-up when Dundalk thwarted Cork’s attempts to repeat the Double.

He arrived at Dundalk in time to make his debut for the Feb 1943 FAI Cup first round tie against St James’s Gate and to pick up a League runner up medal when Dundalk failed by a point to catch Cork.

5ft. 7ins, and 10 and a half stone, he was described as ‘small but gritty… a clever player on the ball…can usually think a stage above the other fellow…masterly control…a ‘general’ with considerable tactical skills...’

During his second term he and Willie Parkin shared the number eight jersey , at the end of which he was released on financial grounds, along with most of the club’s Northern Ireland players.

What They Said About Him

5ft. 7ins, and 10 and a half stone, he was described as ‘small but gritty… a clever player on the ball…can usually think a stage above the other fellow…masterly control…a ‘general’ with considerable tactical skills...’

Honours:

Runner Up League 1942-43.