Pollock Billy Image 1 Belfast Celtic 1932

Description

Monaghan born right half Billy Pollock graduated from the Belfast minor leagues, playing for Glenbank Swifts and Ligoniel to sign for Belfast Celtic on their return to the Irish League in 1924.Pollock was drafted into the Celtic team almost immediately as an amateur before signing professional forms on the 17th March 1928. During his amateur days, like many other Northern players he was coaxed South to Dundalk where he appeared in the League four times, scoring once as a guest player in 1926-27, their first season in the Free State League. On several occasions he “doubled”, appearing for Celtic on the Saturday and for Dundalk the following day. He was also awarded two Amateur international caps, both against England, in each November of 1926 and 1927.

For Celtic he played in four consecutive Irish League Championship winning sides from 1925-26 to 1928-29, winning the title again with them in 1932-33, and figured in many other successes with Belfast Celtic. Surprisingly Celtic had very little success in the Irish Cup, managing only one win against Linfield in 1926, and losing out 2-1 to Ballymena in 1929 Final. Among his other medals were 5 winners’ medals and 8 runners’ up medals in more minor competitions.

He was capped for Ireland against France in a 4-0 defeat at Buffalo in Paris in February 1928, it was a largely inexperienced side, made up almost entirely of Irish League players and it proved to be Pollock’s only senior international outing. He did however represent the Irish League on four occasions between 1928 and 1929, tasting victory just once in a 2-1 win over The League of Ireland in Belfast in March 1929.