Edward J. Breslin (1940 – 9 February 2021), known as Éamonn Breslin, was an Irish Gaelic footballer who played as a forward for club sides Inchicore Hibernians and Ballyfermot Gaels and was a member of the Dublin senior football team from 1963 until 1968.^[1]

Career

Breslin played his Gaelic football for Inchicore Hibernians and Ballyfermot Gaels, with both teams participating in the Dublin Junior Championship. He earned a call-up to the Dublin senior football team and was an unused substitute on the team that beat Galway in the 1963 All-Ireland final. He also claimed two Leinster Championship titles. Breslin is probably best remembered for becoming the first player to score a headed goal in Gaelic football, a feat he achieved in a National League game against Laois in November 1964.^[2] His inter-county career was short-lived and he switched to rugby not long after scoring his famous goal, joining the Monkstown club in south Dublin.

Personal life and death

Having served his time as a bricklayer, Breslin subsequently worked as a car salesman and finished his career with Fort Motors in Cromwellsfort Road in South Dublin in 2006. He died on 9 February 2021.

Honours

Dublin

• All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 1963
• Leinster Senior Football Championship: 1963, 1965

References