Mickey Walsh

Michael Anthony Walsh (born 13 August 1954) is a former professional footballer who works as a football agent. A striker, he spent his club career in England and Portugal. Born in England, he played for the Republic of Ireland national team at international level.

Club career Walsh began his professional career at Blackpool in 1973, making his debut in a goalless draw at Fulham on 12 September. He went on to score 72 league goals for the Seasiders in 180 games during his five years at the club. His strike in a 3–2 win against Sunderland at Bloomfield Road on 1 February 1975 earned him the "Goal of the Season" award on the BBC's Match of the Day. He signed for Everton in August 1978 for a fee of £375,000, a record fee for Blackpool at the time.

Walsh scored in both legs against Finn Harps in the 1978–79 UEFA Cup.

He was swapped for Queens Park Rangers striker Peter Eastoe in March 1979 and spent 18 months at QPR - who had a young Allen and Goddard to keep him out.

Then he was sold to Porto where he spent six years playing and appeared in their 2–1 defeat by Juventus in the 1984 European Cup Winners' Cup final, having scored at Shaktar Donetsk in the quarter-final.

International career Walsh qualified for the Republic of Ireland through his County Mayo-born father. He scored the only goal of the game as Ireland defeated the Soviet Union in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin in September 1984.

Legacy Walsh was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Walsh is in the 1970s.

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Walsh goal.

Honours Porto Primeira Liga: 1984–85, 1985–86 Taça de Portugal: 1983–84 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1981, 1983, 1984 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup runner-up: 1983–84