Francis Wilson (26 July 1970 – 28 October 2022) was an Irish gaelic footballer, association footballer and manager. During his playing days he lined out for several clubs, including Crewe United, Cliftonville and Omagh Town. He also represented Lámh Dhearg and the Antrim senior football team.
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Prionsias Mac Liam | ||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Left wing-forward | ||
| Born |
26 July 1970 Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Died |
28 October 2022 (aged 52) Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Occupation | PE teacher | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| Lámh Dhearg | |||
| Club titles | |||
| Antrim titles | 1 | ||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | ||
1992–2001 | Antrim | ||
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Ulster titles | 0 | ||
| All-Irelands | 0 | ||
| NFL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
Playing career
editWilson joined Lámh Dhearg as a 17-year-old and was part of the club's first ever Antrim MFC title-winning team in 1988. He won an Antrim SFC title in 1992. That same year Wilson was drafted onto the Antrim senior football team and lined out in the All-Ireland SBFC final defeat by Wicklow. Wilson continued to line out with Antrim for about a decade.[1]
Wilson combined his Gaelic football career with that of a semi-professional footballer. Usually lining out at midfield, he played for Northern Ireland Football League clubs Crewe United, Cliftonville, Carrick Rangers, Ballyclare Comrades, Larne, Omagh Town and Bangor.[2]
Managerial career
editWilson returned to the Bangor as manager and guided the club to the Steel & Sons Cup in 2011. He also had spells as manager of Lurgan Celtic, Sport and Leisure Swifts and Banbridge Town.[3] Wilson was also the long-serving manager of the Northern Ireland national under-18 schoolboys football team.
Personal life and death
editWilson was a past pupil of Rathmore Grammar School. He worked as a teacher, where he was head of the PE department at Our Lady and St Patrick's College in Knock. He was diagnosed with terminal bile duct cancer in January 2022.[4] Wilson died on 28 October 2022, at the age of 52.[5]
Honours
editPlayer
edit- Lámh Dhearg
- Antrim Senior Football Championship: 1992
- Antrim Minor Football Championship: 1988
Manager
edit- Bangor
- Steel & Sons Cup: 2011
References
edit- ^ "Frankie Wilson on Drumaness, county days with Antrim and looking after Northern Ireland's new breed". The Irish News. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Obituary: Frankie Wilson (1970-2022)". IFA website. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Ex-Antrim football star Frankie Wilson passes away". Hogan Stand. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "'A real gem'... tributes as Irish League and GAA hero Frankie Wilson dies after cancer battle". Belfast Telegraph. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "GAA star, Irish League manager and much loved teacher Frankie Wilson has died at 52". Belfast Telegraph. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.