It is with deepest sadness that the Association has learned of the passing of former Northern Ireland senior men’s international, Tommy Cassidy.
Tommy played 24 times for Northern Ireland receiving his first cap in 1971 against England and gloriously ending his international career against Spain in Valencia during the World Cup Finals in 1982. A stylish and cultured midfielder with Newcastle United and Burnley, his career had begun at Glentoran where he returned as manager in the mid - 90s, winning the Irish Cup in 1996.
He scored one goal in his international career, a match winner at Hampden Park against Scotland in 1974 and was the last Northern Ireland player to achieve that feat until Conor Bradley earlier this year.
A hero of Valencia when Billy Bingham, faced with Mal Donaghy’s controversial sending off and an injury to Sammy McIlroy, turned to Tommy to settle the team down and navigate to the end of the match controlling the midfield and dispatching telling passes. Valencia was not his only World Cup achievement as Tommy had been drafted into the team for the injured Martin O’Neill in November 1981 as Northern Ireland defeated Israel to qualify for the finals.
Tommy ended his playing career in Cyprus and commenced his managerial story there with APOEL before returning to the North East with Gateshead before heading back to East Belfast with his beloved Glentoran before managing at Ards, Sligo, Workington, Whitby, and Blyth.
The Association send their deepest condolences to Tommy’s family circle at this sad time.
We are saddened today to learn of the passing of Tommy Cassidy, one of our heroes from España 82. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time 💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/pYyHJtrjbZ
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) August 2, 2024
