Tom McGuinness (Gaelic footballer)

Thomas McGuinness
Personal information
Native name
Tomás Mag Aonghusa (Irish)
Nickname
Tom
Born
Derry,
Northern Ireland
OccupationBricklayer tutor
Sport
SportGaelic football
PositionMidfield
Club
Years Club
1968–1972
1972–1973
1976–1980
Sarsfield's
Newbridge
Steelstown
Club titles
Derry titles ?
Inter-county**
Years County Apps (scores)
1968–1980
Derry 31 (0–27)
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 3
**Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 19:38, 5 August 2009 (UTC).

Tom McGuinness is a former Gaelic footballer who played for the Derry county team between 1968 and 1980. He won three Ulster Senior Football Championships with the county, as well as the Ulster Under 21 and All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championships.

McGuinness started his club career with Sarsfield's in his native Derry City. He later played for Sean O'Leary's Newbridge winning Derry Senior Football Championship medals with the club. McGuinness finished his club career at Steelstown.

He usually played in midfield. He was shorter than most midfielders, but made up for this with his excellent spring and catching abilities, which drew McGuinness comparisons with Jim McKeever. Along with his ability to out-jump bigger opponents was his capability to score long-range points and his free-running play was described as a "nightmare for defenders".

McGuinness is known as one of Derry's best ever players. Along with Mickey McNaught, he has been described as one of the two best ever players to come from Derry City.