| Robert Curragh |
 Robert Curragh was born on Friday, 4th February, 1876, in Auchinleck, East Ayrshire. The forward signed for Thistle on Friday, 9th September, 1898, having most recently been with Lugar Boswell. Aged 24, he made his only appearance on Saturday, 12th May, 1900, in a 1-1 friendly draw at home to St Bernard's. There were no goals for Robert in his one-off appearance for Thistle. His club-list included Lugar Boswell and Partick Thistle. Robert died on Monday, 9th January, 1950, in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire, aged 83.
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 Son of William Curragh (Iron miner) and Bertha Curragh (née Graham). Robert was part of a large family, with 3 brothers and 6 sisters at the 1881 census! Curragh was on the books for a few seasons from 1898-99 onwards, but never made the breakthrough to the first team. In his Weekly News interview of 1903, Lugar-born Robert Campbell noted that “In five-a-side tournaments I picked up a few medals at Muirkirk, Lugar, New Cumnock and Skares, along with Stark, Brodie and the two Curraghs, all Lugar bred and born.” The “two Curraghs” quote is intriguing; the here-profiled Robert Curragh seems certain, although he wasn't quite born at Lugar. His birthplace was stated as Rosebank, which was a row of cottages closer to Auchinleck than Lugar. As for the other, well, Robert has so many brothers as candidates; John (b.1865), Arthur (b.1869) & William (b.1878). Perhaps one of these was in the reserves? The one other obvious candidate would be Robert Currie (130+ apps, 1892-1899). Robert died at his Dalmellington home in 1950, having suffered a cardiac arrest. He was described as a retired coal miner and the widower of Mary Chalmers. His son, William, signed the register entry. |
| (WS/JK) |
