Villa legend Con Martin passes

Villa legend Con Martin has died at the age of 89.

Martin, born in Rush, Co Dublin, on March 20, 1923, is considered one of the great Irish players of the last century and is famed for scoring from the penalty spot in Ireland's 2-0 win over England at Goodison Park in September 1949 – England's first home defeat to a non-UK side.

He won 30 caps for the Republic of Ireland and six for Northern Ireland in the days when a player could line out for both associations.

Best known as a centre-half, he made his international debut for the Republic in goal and played close to a complete season in the green jersey for the Villa.

After tasting success with Drumcondra in the 1946 FAI Cup success, he played for Glentoran before moving on to Leeds United.

Con then secured a £10,000 move to Aston Villa in 1948, making in excess of 200 appearances – 27 of them between the sticks.

In 1956, he signed for Waterford United and would later manage Dundalk and Shelbourne.

He is survived by wife Vera, sons Mick, Con Jnr, Edward and Phillip and daughters Mary, Elizabeth and Susan, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.