Born in Bellshill on the 17th August 1952, Tommy O’Hara was playing for Viewpark side St Columbia’s Boys Guild as a youngster before starting his professional career with Jock Stein’s Celtic. As a teenager he struggled to break into the Bhoy’s first team due to the abundance of stars in their squad, he was loaned out to Junior side Kirkintilloch Rob Roy to gain some experience, O’Hara would go on to win four Junior Scotland caps while playing in the Central League. He would never break into the Celtic first team before departing Glasgow in 1974.
Capable of paying as a full back or in midfield, Tommy had pace in abundance. He is best known for his spell at Palmerston Park with Queen of the South where he played in well over 150 competitive games, he enjoyed many notable cup runs with the Doonhamer’s, at the end of the 1974/75 he was part of the side that missed out on promotion to Scotland’s top tier due to league reconstruction. Despite Queen’s finishing 2nd in Division Two, the new reconstruction meant a third league was to be introduced, the top six sides of Division Two would now play in the new First Division which essentially was still the second tier within the Scottish League structure.
In March 1978, Tommy headed to the North America Soccer League (NASL) where he joined the Washington Diplomats, amongst his teammates was the Dutch legend John Cruyff. Despite the abundance of talent on board their playing squad he certainly enjoyed winning the Player of the Year award. He enjoyed one season in America with the Jacksonville Tea Men before Davie Hay brought him back to Scotland in January 1982 when he signed for Motherwell.
O’Hara made his ‘Well debut in a 3-1 win over Clydebank, he of course would become a regular in the free flowing side which won the 1981/82 First Division in fine style.
Capped once by the United States in 1982, Tommy would later play for Falkirk followed by a spell in Maryhill with Partick Thistle.
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Name:
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Tommy O’Hara |
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Height:
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5′ 9″ |
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Weight:
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10st 9lbs |
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Date of Birth:
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17th August 1953 |
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Place of Birth:
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Bellshill |
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Position:
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Midfield |
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Nationality:
|
American |
Football Career:
| Kirkintilloch Rob Roy | – | 1971 |
| Celtic | 1971 | 1974 |
| Queen of the South | 1974 | 1979 |
| Washingston Diplomats | 1978 | 1980 |
| Jacksonville Teamen | 1981 | |
| Motherwell | 1981 | 1983 |
| Falkirk | 1983 | 1984 |
| Partick Thistle | 1984 | 1985 |
| Lesmahagow Juniors | 1985 | – |
Well Career:
| Apps | Goals | |
|
League:
|
47 (6) | 0 |
|
Scottish Cup:
|
3 | 0 |
|
League Cup:
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6 | 0 |
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Other:
|
0 | 0 |
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Total:
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56 (6) | 0 |