Thomas Willighan Jr.
The 3rd child of Thomas Sr and Margaret, Thomas was born on 1st March 1903.
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Present at his birth was the midwife, Mary A Lester of 66 Hooker St, Belfast. Thomas became a professional footballer during the early 1930s and played for Burnley FC. He also had the honour of twice representing Ireland.
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On 28th December 1934 (exactly 6 yrs after his brother Robert), Thomas married Alice Bradshaw. They had one son, born February 1936 and carried on the Thomas name tradition.
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However, tragedy struck five months after the child's birth. His father died from cancer of the rectum in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. At the time of his death Thomas had retired from football and was a labourer. His address was given as 106 Cambrai St and his wife Alice was present at his death. Alice returned to Burnley and Thomas Jr lives in the area with wife Alys and family.
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Thomas is buried at Dundonald Cemetery (F5 604). Also in the grave are Isabella, Jane Burns and Emily Burns.
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Click here for his Wikipedia page.
Tommy and Alice with friends George (Burnley team-mate) and Nellie Waterfield
Tommy in his St Mary's FC (Belfast) strip of 1925.
Tommy Willighan won 2 caps against Scotland and Wales before a leg injury ended his career. In 1933, all of Ireland was represented by the IFA - today it is modern day Northern Ireland.
