THE sporting all-rounder is a thing of the past it seems – except in Park Avenue of course. Last year Kenny Carroll became the first dual cricket-hockey international in almost 30 years (emulating Jimmy Kirkwood), and also turned out in goal for Railway’s soccer team in an AUL cup final and played senior Gaelic football for Clanna Gael.

There are few rivals for such a phenomenal sporting all-round record, but one man who certainly did was the late Paddy Neville, who played football for Dublin, soccer for Drumcondra, cricket for Malahide and hockey for Portrane. He was good enough to play inter-league soccer, and was named four times as reserve for Ireland in those pre-substitute days. He starred on the Irish hockey triple crown team in 1947, but the Irish Cricket Union wouldn’t pick him for the ‘Gentlemen of Ireland’ because his soccer career meant he was not considered a true amateur.

He famously won the 1941 Senior Cup for Leinster by scoring 52 out of their total of 217 against Trinity, but he was 36 years old before the ICU relented and he won just seven caps, scoring an unbeaten 50 against New Zealand.

Neville was just one of five League of Ireland goalkeepers that Malahide fielded in that era, a list that included his understudy at Tolka Park Sean O’Brien, who was a legendary close-in fielder who wise sages say won them at least one Senior Cup because of an incredible catch. The other three keepers who played in Malahide were Joe Caprani, George Farrelly and Billy Behan junior.

Billy, son of the legendary Manchester United scout, played in goal for Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Drumcondra, and for Portrane at hockey, as well as cricket for Railway. He was the eldest of eight brothers from Durham Road in Sandymount, of whom Billy, John, Leo, Eamon, Terry and Jimmy played for Railway.

Another Railway hockey keeper, Harry Cannon, played between the posts for Bohemians as well as cricket for Civil Service. And another Bohs keeper, Shay Cunningham, played cricket with Ierne alongside GAA legend Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin.

Another man who died recently, the soccer great Con Martin, was an amazing all-round sportsman, playing in every position for Ireland including goalkeeper – indeed he played a whole season at Aston Villa between the posts. Con also played a bit of cricket in Rush, where the family still has connections.

Other cricket figures who played in goal include Vinny Savino (GAA), Matt Gregg (ex-Bohs and Bray Wanderers who now plays with Phoenix), and Andy Patterson, who kept wicket for Sussex and Ireland and goal for Glentoran and Irish Universities. Patterson once scored from a kick out for the Irish league team against their great rivals Linfield.

There were many professional dual players in England up to the early 1970s, when it started becoming impossible to have a career at both sports. One of the most notable ‘keepers was Jim Standen, who won a FA Cup winners medal (with West Ham) and the County Championship (with Worcestershire) in 1964, taking 52 wickets at 14.4.

Other noted keepers include Jim Cumbes (Aston Villa and Worcestershire), and Steve Ogrizovic of Coventry, who spent his summers playing for Minor Counties.

Scotland even had a dual international No.1 as late as the 1990s, with Andy Goram playing against Ireland at Castle Avenue.

These days it is unimaginable that a leading cricketer could play professional soccer – as Ian Botham did with Scunthorpe United in the 1980s. But Kenny Carroll shows that sporting talent can be applied in more than area with the right application and determination.

· This article first appeared in the Railway Union programme 2013