Ernie McCleary

Name: J. W. McCleary
Born: near Hillsborough
Height: 5.09 ft
Weight: 11.07
Position: Centre-Half

Representative Honours: Northern Ireland: 1 Full Cap (1955), 14 Amateur Caps (1948-1957); Irish League: 1 Cap (1955).

Club Career:
Glenavon
Cliftonville

Biography:
A schoolteacher by day, Ernie McCleary was a mainstay at centre-half for Cliftonville and for Ireland's Amateur side for many years. In the 1948/49 season he was part of the Amateur side that defeated England 1-0 at Norwich, the first win for the Irish on English soil.

McCleary's only appearances at full international and inter-league level came in the spring of 1955. On St. Patrick's Day he took to the field at Dalymount Park as the Irish League suffered a 2-1 defeat to the League of Ireland. A little over a month later he stepped into Ireland's problem centre-half position for a 3-2 defeat by Wales at Windsor Park.

Something of a sporting all-rounder, McCleary also played cricket for Cliftonville.

If you have any further information on J.W. McCleary, please let NIFG know.

Northern Ireland Cap Details:
20-04-1955 Wales... H L 2-3 BC

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.