Bobby Gilbert

Bobby Gilbert is an Irish former footballer who played for, among others, Derry City and Shamrock Rovers. Gilbert scored in European competitions for both City and Rovers. As an international he also played for the Republic of Ireland.

Bobby Gilbert
Personal information
Full name Robert Gilbert
Place of birth Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1957–1959 St Patrick's Athletic 31 (11)
1959–1963 Derry City ? (?)
1963–1964 Shelbourne 12 (4)
1964–1965 Portadown 12 (5)
1964–1965 Derry City 7 (5)
1965–1968 Shamrock Rovers 48 (21)
1967 → Boston Rovers (loan) 6 (1)
1968–1970 Drumcondra 33 (15)
1970–1971 Dundalk 7 (2)
1971–1972 Shelbourne 1 (0)
National team
1966 Republic of Ireland 1 (0)
1967 League of Ireland XI 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Derry City

Together with Jimmy McGeough, Jim Crossan and Matt Doherty, Gilbert was a member of the Derry City team that overcame F.C. Lyn Oslo in a European Cup tie in 1965. As a result, City became the first Irish League team to win a European Cup tie over two legs. In the first leg, played away on 31 August, Gilbert headed in two goals in a 5–3 defeat. However, he missed the return leg on 9 September because of injury, but Gilbert's two goals helped City to an 8–6 aggregate win.[1] Legend has that Gilbert's injury resulted from a punch in the head he received in a nightclub the night before the game.[2]

Shamrock Rovers

Having already played for Rovers minors in 1958 Gilbert made his senior debut for Shamrock Rovers on 24 October 1965 in a League of Ireland Shield game against St. Patrick's Athletic and scored a hat-trick as Rovers won 9–1. He went on to finish the 1965–66 season as Rovers' top goalscorer. Together with Liam Tuohy, Johnny Fullam, Pat Dunne, Frank O'Neill, Mick Leech and Paddy Mulligan, Gilbert was a prominent member of the Rovers team that dominated the FAI Cup during the 1960s. He played in three successive finals, finishing on winning side each time. In 1966 they beat Limerick United, in 1967 they St Patrick's Athletic and in 1968 they beat Waterford United. In April 1966 Gilbert scored three goals in the semi-final of the FAI Cup against Waterford United. He scored once in the original 2–2 draw and then twice in a 4–2 replay. During the summer of 1967, Gilbert also played for Rovers when they went to the United States and competed as Boston Rovers in the United Soccer Association league.[3][4][5][6]

One of the highlights of his time with Rovers came in November 1966 when Rovers came close to knocking, Bayern Munich, the eventual winners, out of the European Cup Winners Cup. After holding Bayern to a 1–1 draw at Dalymount Park, goals from Gilbert and Liam Tuohy saw Rovers came back from 2–0 down during the away game. Rovers were winning the tie on away goals when a late goal from Gerd Müller saw Bayern win 3–2 on the night and progress to the next round. Gilbert scored his fourth goal in European competition the following season in a European Cup Winners Cup game against Cardiff City. Gilbert's goal earned Rovers a 1–1 draw in the home leg. However Rovers subsequently lost the tie 3–1 on aggregate.[7]

Republic of Ireland

On 4 May 1966, while playing for Shamrock Rovers, Gilbert made his one and only appearance the Republic of Ireland in friendly against West Germany at Dalymount Park. The Republic lost 4–0 and Gilbert never won another cap.[8]

Honours

Shamrock Rovers

Dundalk

References
  1. Derry City V F.C. Lyn Oslo Archived 18 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  2. www.derrycityfc.net Archived 18 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "History". Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  4. Not out yet (15 February 2004). "Rovers and FAI Cup". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  5. "Boston Rovers". Mywebpages.comcast.net. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  6. McGarrigle, Stephen (1996). The Complete Who's Who of Irish International Football, 1945–96. Edinburgh: Mainstream. pp. ?. ISBN 1-85158-894-9.
  7. "Shamrock Rovers in Europe: European Results 1957 – date". Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Archived from the original on 22 June 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  8. "Republic of Ireland international". Soccer scene. 4 May 1966. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
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