Samuel James Johnston (18 September 1866 – 25 April 1910) was an Irish footballer who played as a centre forward for Ireland and Distillery between 1881 and 1888.
[1] A regular goalscorer for Distillery over seven seasons, Johnston played a pivotal role in the club's three back-to-back Irish Cups between 1884 and 1886, scoring once in the 1884 final to help Distillery to a 5–0 win over Wellington Park on 19 April, aged 17, and twice in the 1885 final to help his side to a 3–0 win over Limavady on 21 March, aged 18.
[2][3][4] A blacksmith by trade, Johnston's well-built appearance meant that when he stepped into the field for his international debut, his age was not even commented on as seemingly nobody realized he was so young.
[1] Seven days later, on 25 February, Johnston made his second Irish appearance, scoring Ireland's first-ever international goal, an equalizer against Wales in an eventual 7–1 loss, thus becoming the youngest goalscorer in international European history, a record which also stands to this day.
[2] Johnston earned three more caps for Ireland, one in the inaugural 1883–84 British Home Championship and the other two in the 1885–86 edition, scoring once in a 2–7 loss to Scotland on 20 March 1886, aged 19.