Jackie O'Driscoll

John Francis O'Driscoll (20 September 1921 – 11 March 1988) is an Irish former footballer who played as a winger for several teams in the League of Ireland. He also played for Swansea Town. O'Driscoll was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI.

Irish international When O'Driscoll began his international career in 1948 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern Ireland-based IFA and the Ireland-based FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result, several notable Irish players from this era, including O'Driscoll, played for both teams.

IFA XI Between 1948 and 1949 O'Driscoll made 3 appearances for the IFA XI. On 9 October 1948 he made his international debut for the IFA XI in a 6–2 defeat against England. On 17 November 1948 he made his second appearance for the IFA XI in a 3–2 defeat against Scotland. He made his last appearance for the IFA XI against Wales on 9 March 1949 in a 2–0 defeat.

FAI XI Between 1948 and 1949 O'Driscoll also made 3 appearances for the FAI XI. He won his first cap on 5 December 1948 in a 1–0 defeat in a friendly Switzerland at Dalymount Park. He also played for the FAI XI on 24 April 1949 in another friendly at Dalymount against Belgium. This time the FAI XI lost 2–0. He won his final FAI XI cap on 2 June 1949 a in 3–1 away defeat against Sweden, a qualifier for the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

Honours

Player

Waterford League of Ireland runner-up: 1940–41 FAI Cup runner-up: 1941

Cork United League of Ireland: 1942–43, 1944–45, 1945–46 FAI Cup: 1947; runner-up: 1943 League of Ireland Shield: 1943 Munster Senior Cup: 1945, 1946, 1947

Swansea Town Third Division South: 1948–49

Llanelli West Wales Senior Cup: 1952–53