Tom Aherne
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Aherne | ||
| Date of birth | 26 January 1919 | ||
| Place of birth | Limerick, Ireland | ||
| Date of death | 30 December 1999 (aged 80) | ||
| Place of death | Luton, England | ||
| Playing position | Left Back | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Treaty Sarsfield (hurling) | |||
| Limerick (hurling) | |||
| 1937–1946 | Limerick United | ||
| 1946–1949 | Belfast Celtic | ||
| 1949–1957 | Luton Town | 267 | (0) |
| 1957– | Luton Celtic | ||
| National team | |||
| 1946–1950 | Ireland (IFA) | 6 | (0) |
| 1946–1953 | Ireland (FAI) | 16 | (0) |
| 1947–1948 | Irish League XI | 2 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Thomas Aherne (26 January 1919 – 30 December 1999), also referred to as Bud Aherne, was an Irish footballer and hurler. He played football for Belfast Celtic and Luton Town and was a dual internationalist, playing for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI. In 1949 he was a member of the FAI XI that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home. As a hurler he also played one game for Limerick.
After retiring as a player Aherne settled in Luton where he coached the Luton Town youth team, worked in the local car industry and ran a very successful licensed premises. He also continued to visit Limerick regularly and remained healthy and active until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the mid-1990s. He died in December 1999 at the age of 80 and was survived by his wife Eileen two sons, Pat and Brian and three daughters Maura, Trisha and Catherine.
Aherne was born in Limerick, Ireland. As a youth, he initially emerged as a prominent hurler with Treaty Sarsfields and also played one game for Limerick. However he subsequently decided to concentrate on football and began his senior career with Limerick United where his team mates included Davy Walsh. During the Second World War, Aherne served in the Irish Army and was stationed at Crosshaven. His impressive performances in the League of Ireland attracted attention and in 1946 he was signed by Belfast Celtic.
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