Fred O'Shea

Thomas Frederick O'Shea (5 October 1886 – 21 December 1962) was an Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Family The son of John O'Shea, and Elizabeth O'Shea, née Myers, Thomas Frederick O'Shea was born at Seymour, Victoria on 5 October 1886.

Football

Brunswick (VFA) He played 36 games and scored 17 goals for Brunswick, over three seasons (1907 to 1909).

O'Shea was a member of the 1909 Brunswick VFA premiership team, kicking two goals in the Grand Final against Prahran on 25 September 1909.

Essendon (VFL) Cleared from Brunswick on 29 April 1910, he joined Essendon in 1910; and played on the wing in the Essendon team that won the 1911 Grand Final.

1912 VFL Preliminary Final On 21 September 1912, O'Shea kicked the winning goal in the Preliminary Final against Carlton (his goal put Essendon into the Grand Final against South Melbourne, which Essendon won).

"Reputed to be the League's top wingman during his period with Essendon" (Maplestone, 1996, p. 86) O'Shea had badly injured his knee in the first quarter, when he had been bumped in the air when contesting a mark, and had fallen awkwardly to the ground, wrenching his knee. He had to be carried off the ground. He returned to the field almost immediately, but did not stay long: "O'Shea now limped out [onto the field], and went in front of goal, but was overwhelmed in a wild surge, and had to be carried off once again".

Due to his injury – he was on crutches for three weeks – he could not play in the Grand Final. At the Essendon Football Club's Smoke Night on 11 December 1912, "There was great deal of enthusiasm, especially when players who were injured [in the 1912] season were honoured. E. Cameron, who broke his leg in the final match, was presented with a cheque for £200 and a gold watch; W.Busbridge [injured on 13 July 1912] was handed a cheque for £150 and a gold watch; and F. O'Shea was handed a cheque, the amount of which was not disclosed."

In 1913, he returned to Brunswick.

Death Thomas Frederick O'Shea died on 21 December 1962, and is buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.

Footnotes