Edward Quigley

Bustling centre-forward Edward Quigley scored in his only Irish League appearance for Ballymena during the club’s first ever season.

Born in Antrim, Quigley was a journeyman forward who was a prominent goalscoring forward in the Intermediate Leagues throughout the mid-twenties. Having first taken to the field with Belfast United, he did get a brief opportunity in senior football in his early career but failed to make much headway at Solitude.

Arguably his best season leading the line was for Belfast United during the 1925/1926 campaign, as he hit a rich vein of goalscoring form which took the club to the Intermediate Cup final. Edward lost the New Year’s Day final to Ballyclare Comrades at Solitude, but one the highlights of a memorable season also seen Belfast United knock senior side Cliftonville out of the Irish Cup via a replay.

Another opportunity within senior football arose as Distillery took a chance on the forward in February 1926 and then again in the summer of 1927, but he failed to make any substantial headway. In-between times, Quigley was constantly floating between clubs such as St. Mary’s, Antrim Comrades and Antrim United.

It was at Antrim United that he caught the eyes of the Ballymena selectors during the 1928/1929 campaign, with the Light Blues plotting their path in senior football in their debut season. In January 1929, Edward was signed and quickly drafted into the central position in the forward line for the visit of Glenavon – and he even scored after 53 minutes on his debut.

The local press reviews, however, were far from glowing for the forward’s display in his third and ultimately final showcase for a breakthrough into senior football. The 25-year-old never appeared for Ballymena again and nor in senior Irish League circles. Drifting through Intermediate and Junior football, his career is not well documented, but he reappeared with Moyola Park in 1930 and also featured for Old Bleach the following year.

Edward Quigley passed away in August 1970 in Randalstown, aged 66.

Career
Belfast United; Cliftonville; (1926) Distillery; (1926, February) St. Mary’s; (1926, April) Belfast United; (1927, July) Distillery; (1927, September) Antrim Comrades; (1928) Antrim United; (1929, January) Ballymena
(1930, March) Moyola Park Olympic; Old Bleach

Honours
(with Belfast United)
Intermediate Cup: (runner-up) 1925/1926