Posthumous honour for Limerick priest who co-founded Scottish soccer club

Mayor John Moran, presents a scroll to John Cronin, president Ballingarry Football Club, on behalf of the late Canon Edward Joseph Hannan, founder of Hibernian Football Club, and Kit Gordon, of the Edinburgh side. They were present at a reception for the Scottish Premiership club and Canon Hannan by the council. Also in the photo are Martin McDermott, head of the Scottish government office in Ireland, and Sharon McMeel, cultural secretary Scottish government in Ireland and members of Hibernian Women’s Football Team | PICTURE: Marie Keating | .

placeholder image — Mayor John Moran, presents a scroll to John Cronin, president Ballingarry Football Club, on behalf of the late Canon Edward Joseph Hannan, founder of Hibernian Football Club, and Kit Gordon, of the Edinburgh side. They were present at a reception for the Scottish Premiership club and Canon Hannan by the council. Also in the photo are Martin McDermott, head of the Scottish government office in Ireland, and Sharon McMeel, cultural secretary Scottish government in Ireland and members of Hibernian Women’s Football Team | PICTURE: Marie Keating | .

Ballingarry man founded Edinburgh soccer side to help out migrant Irish people

THE LIMERICK priest who co-founded Scottish Premiership soccer club Hibernian has been honoured with a posthumous reception in his home county.

Ballingarry’s Canon Edward Joseph Hannan founded the Edinburgh club alongside Roscommon man Micheal Whelahan in 1875. Initially, it was an outlet to help Irish immigrants who often faced prejudice in the Scottish capital.

Earlier this month, representatives of Hibernian paid a special visit to Canon Hannan’s birthplace, unveiling a special plaque to mark the historic link between Limerick and the Easter Road side, and commemorating the fact it is 150 years since its founding.

Now, Mayor John Moran has honoured both the co-founder of Hibernian FC and the women’s team.

Among the staff from Hibernian FC joined the women’s side at County Hall were current club co-owner Kit Gordon and chief executive Dan Barnett.

As part of the celebrations, the women’s team played a game against Treaty United’s women in Markets Field, with the Limerick side remarkably beating the Scottish champions 2-0.

Mayor Moran felt it was important to mark the achievements of Hibernian’s women’s side.

"Hibernian as a club is a Limerick baby and the women’s team have done amazing stuff. In other receptions, I have been highlighting female participation in sports. Since they were coming to Limerick, I felt they as well as the club should be recognised. I hope this is a relationship which will grow and grow,” the first citizen said.