Career
Weir was also a dual and played for both Ireland teams – the IFA XI and the FAI XI. After retiring as a player he managed. He spent three seasons with Falkirk but was largely a bit-part player. He then joined Street Bernard"s of the Scottish Second Division, initially on loan.
During the 1937-1938 season, he was spotted by a Dublin football fan, Matt Murtagh.
Murtagh subsequently recommended him to both the IFA and the FAI. Weir put in a man of the match performance as beat Rangers 4–1 in the third round. When Weir played international football during 1939 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.
Both associations, the Northern Ireland – based IFA and the Irish Free State – based FAI claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Weir, played for both teams.
IFA XI Weir made his international debut with the IFA XI on 15 March 1939 in a 3–1 away defeat against Wales.
This was his one and only appearance for the IFA XI. FAI XI Weir also made 3 appearances for the FAI XI, all in 1939. Four days after playing for the IFA XI, he made his debut for the FAI XI on 19 March in a 2–2 draw with Hungary at the Mardyke. He then went on a European tour with the FAI XI and played in the team"s last two internationals before the Second World War.
The first of these was a return game against Hungary on 18 May which again finished as a 2–2 draw.
He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on 23 May in a 1–1 draw with Germany. In 1948 Weir joined as a player-coach but only played a few pre-season friendlies.
However he went onto manage for two seasons, guiding them victory in both the and the in 1949. He is largely credited with bringing a new level of professionalism to, employing Scottish backroom staff and recruiting four Scottish players.
