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'''Shane O'Connor''' (born 14 April 1990) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] former professional [[association football|footballer]].
'''Shane O'Connor''' (born 14 April 1990) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] former professional [[association football|footballer]].


A graduate of the [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|Liverpool F.C. Academy]], he signed professionally with [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in July 2009. He represented the Republic of Ireland at [[Republic of Ireland national under-17 football team|under-17]], [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|under-19]], and [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|under-21]] levels. He joined Port Vale on a six-week [[Loan (sports)|loan]] spell in November 2011, though did not make a first team appearance. He left Ipswich in January 2012 and subsequently had spells signed with [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]], [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers]], [[Portadown F.C.|Portadown]], [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick]], [[Cobh Ramblers F.C.|Cobh Ramblers]], [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] and Longford Town. He helped the [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] to win [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] as champions of the [[League of Ireland First Division]] in 2017. He spent the first half of 2018 with [[Longford Town F.C.|Longford Town]], before rejoining Cobh Ramblers in July 2018.
A graduate of the [[Liverpool F.C. Reserves and Academy|Liverpool F.C. Academy]], he signed professionally with [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in July 2009. He represented the Republic of Ireland at [[Republic of Ireland national under-17 football team|under-17]], [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|under-19]], and [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|under-21]] levels. He joined Port Vale on a six-week [[Loan (sports)|loan]] spell in November 2011, though he did not make a first-team appearance. He left Ipswich in January 2012 and subsequently had spells signed with [[Cork City F.C.|Cork City]], [[Shamrock Rovers F.C.|Shamrock Rovers]], [[Portadown F.C.|Portadown]], [[Limerick F.C.|Limerick]], [[Cobh Ramblers F.C.|Cobh Ramblers]], [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] and Longford Town. He helped the [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] to win [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] as champions of the [[League of Ireland First Division]] in 2017. He spent the first half of 2018 with [[Longford Town F.C.|Longford Town]], rejoining Cobh Ramblers in July 2018.


==Club career==
==Club career==
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===Ipswich Town===
===Ipswich Town===
In July 2009, after a short trial O'Connor signed a one-year deal with [[EFL Championship|Championship]] side [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], who were managed by his boyhood hero, [[Roy Keane]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Shane to sign deal |publisher=itfc.co.uk |date=20 July 2009 |url=http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1727795,00.html |access-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724142404/http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10272~1727795%2C00.html |archive-date=24 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich complete O'Connor signing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8158694.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 July 2009}}</ref> O'Connor made his debut for Ipswich in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] away against [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]], replacing [[Jack Ainsley]] as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] at [[half-time]]; the "Tractor Boys" went on to win the match on penalties following a 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury 3–3 Ipswich |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=13 August 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8188438.stm |access-date=20 August 2009}}</ref> He made his first league start for Ipswich on 20 February, in a 1–0 win over [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] at [[Hillsborough Stadium|Hillsborough]]. He played a further eleven league games for Ipswich in [[2009–10 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2009–10]]; he impressed in midfield against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 2 – 0 Cardiff|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8555360.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 March 2010}}</ref> though gave away a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] in a draw at home to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 1 – 1 Doncaster|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8615626.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=17 April 2010}}</ref> At the end of the campaign he was handed a new two-year deal, which he eventually signed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defender Shane O'Connor signs new Ipswich Town deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8783831.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=2 July 2010}}</ref> However experienced player [[Mark Kennedy (footballer, born 1976)|Mark Kennedy]] was also signed for a £75,000 fee, and was expected to battle O'Connor for the left-back spot.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich close on Cardiff City defender Mark Kennedy|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8851455.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 July 2010}}</ref>
In July 2009, after a short trial O'Connor signed a one-year deal with [[EFL Championship|Championship]] side [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], who were managed by his boyhood hero, [[Roy Keane]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Shane to sign deal |publisher=itfc.co.uk |date=20 July 2009 |url=http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~1727795,00.html |access-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724142404/http://www.itfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10272~1727795%2C00.html |archive-date=24 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich complete O'Connor signing|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8158694.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=28 July 2009}}</ref> O'Connor made his debut for Ipswich in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] away against [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]], replacing [[Jack Ainsley]] as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] at [[half-time]]; the "Tractor Boys" went on to win the match on penalties following a 3–3 draw.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury 3–3 Ipswich |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=13 August 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/8188438.stm |access-date=20 August 2009}}</ref> He made his first league start for Ipswich on 20 February, in a 1–0 win over [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] at [[Hillsborough Stadium|Hillsborough]]. He played a further eleven league games for Ipswich in [[2009–10 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2009–10]]; he impressed in midfield against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 2 – 0 Cardiff|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8555360.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 March 2010}}</ref> though gave away a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty]] in a draw at home to [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 1 – 1 Doncaster|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8615626.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=17 April 2010}}</ref> At the end of the campaign he was handed a new two-year deal, which he eventually signed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Defender Shane O'Connor signs new Ipswich Town deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8783831.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=2 July 2010}}</ref> However, experienced player [[Mark Kennedy (footballer, born 1976)|Mark Kennedy]] was also signed for a £75,000 fee, and was expected to battle O'Connor for the left-back spot.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich close on Cardiff City defender Mark Kennedy|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8851455.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 July 2010}}</ref>


He appeared in five of the club's first six games of [[2010–11 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2010–11]], but was then dropped from the first team after suffering from a torn hamstring on international duty,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town trio handed fitness boost|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9065920.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich boss Roy Keane lining up Premier League loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8985267.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 September 2010}}</ref> and did not play again until a three-game spell in December. He set up [[Jason Scotland]] for Ipswich's third in a 3–0 win over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] at [[Portman Road]] on 18 December.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 3 – 0 Leicester|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9283579.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=19 December 2010}}</ref> However he ruptured and dislocated his shoulder joint,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town dealt Brian Murphy and Shane O'Connor blow|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9318597.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 December 2010}}</ref> and so did not appear again until 25 January, in a 3–0 League Cup semi-final defeat to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at the [[Emirates Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Arsenal 3 – 0 Ipswich (agg 3 – 1)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9371217.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 January 2011}}</ref> This was his last contribution to the campaign, and he was not selected again under [[Paul Jewell]]'s stewardship, with whom he had a poor relationship.<ref name="open"/>
He appeared in five of the club's first six games of [[2010–11 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2010–11]]. He was then dropped from the first-team after suffering from a [[Strain (injury)|tore]] [[hamstring]] on international duty,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town trio handed fitness boost|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9065920.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=6 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich boss Roy Keane lining up Premier League loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8985267.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=9 September 2010}}</ref> and did not play again until a three-game spell in December. He set up [[Jason Scotland]] for Ipswich's third in a 3–0 win over [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] at [[Portman Road]] on 18 December.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich 3 – 0 Leicester|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9283579.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=19 December 2010}}</ref> However, he ruptured and [[dislocated shoulder|dislocated his shoulder]] [[joint]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town dealt Brian Murphy and Shane O'Connor blow|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/9318597.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 December 2010}}</ref> and so did not appear again until 25 January, in a 3–0 League Cup semi-final defeat to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at the [[Emirates Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Arsenal 3 – 0 Ipswich (agg 3 – 1)|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/9371217.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 January 2011}}</ref> This was his last contribution to the campaign, and he was not selected again under [[Paul Jewell]]'s stewardship, with whom he had a poor relationship.<ref name="open"/>


At the start of the [[2011–12 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2011–12]] season, he rejected a six-month [[Loan (sports)|loan]] deal at [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Jewell has 'fierce' Ipswich Town drive|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14402296.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 August 2011}}</ref> However he did not feature for Ipswich, and so in November 2011, he joined Crawley's [[EFL League Two|League Two]] rivals [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] on loan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale sign three players on loan ahead of deadline|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15878622.stm|access-date=24 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 November 2011}}</ref> He saw the loan as an opportunity to win a permanent [[Association football contracts|contract]] away from Portman Road.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale: O'Connor out to impress potential suitors|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-O-Connor-impress-potential-suitors/story-13987498-detail/story.html|access-date=29 November 2011|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=29 November 2011}}</ref> He played a number of reserve games,<ref>{{cite news|last=Questier |first=Joe |title=Reserves Host Burton |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2546113,00.html |access-date=3 January 2012 |newspaper=port-vale.co.uk |date=13 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614142935/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~2546113%2C00.html |archive-date=14 June 2012 }}</ref> but never made a matchday squad at [[Vale Park]] before his loan spell ended in January; he felt disillusioned upon his arrival at the club when manager [[Micky Adams]] asked him what position he played.<ref name="open"/> He then had a trial with [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]], also of League Two,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town's Shane O'Connor joins Southend United on trial|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16410236.stm|access-date=20 January 2012|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 January 2012}}</ref> before leaving Ipswich Town by mutual consent on 20 January.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town cancel Shane O'Connor contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16650260.stm|access-date=20 January 2012|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 January 2012}}</ref> He later admitted he struggled with depression and [[problem gambling]] after leaving the English professional football scene, and as a result lost 50% of the footballing ability he had at Ipswich.<ref name="open"/>
At the start of the [[2011–12 Ipswich Town F.C. season|2011–12]] season, he rejected a six-month [[Loan (sports)|loan]] deal at [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Jewell has 'fierce' Ipswich Town drive|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14402296.stm|access-date=25 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 August 2011}}</ref> However, he did not feature for Ipswich, and so in November 2011, he joined Crawley's [[EFL League Two|League Two]] rivals [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] on loan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale sign three players on loan ahead of deadline|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15878622.stm|access-date=24 November 2011|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 November 2011}}</ref> He saw the loan as an opportunity to win a permanent [[Association football contracts|contract]] away from Portman Road.<ref>{{cite news|title=Port Vale: O'Connor out to impress potential suitors|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-O-Connor-impress-potential-suitors/story-13987498-detail/story.html|access-date=29 November 2011|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=29 November 2011}}</ref> He played a number of [[reserve team]] games,<ref>{{cite news|last=Questier |first=Joe |title=Reserves Host Burton |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2546113,00.html |access-date=3 January 2012 |newspaper=port-vale.co.uk |date=13 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614142935/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~2546113%2C00.html |archive-date=14 June 2012 }}</ref> but never made a matchday squad at [[Vale Park]] before his loan spell ended in January; he felt disillusioned upon his arrival at the club when [[Manager (association football)|manager]] [[Micky Adams]] asked him what position he played.<ref name="open"/> He then had a trial with [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]], also of League Two,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town's Shane O'Connor joins Southend United on trial|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16410236.stm|access-date=20 January 2012|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=4 January 2012}}</ref> before leaving Ipswich Town by mutual consent on 20 January.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ipswich Town cancel Shane O'Connor contract|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16650260.stm|access-date=20 January 2012|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=20 January 2012}}</ref> He later admitted he struggled with depression and [[problem gambling]] after leaving the English professional football scene, and as a result lost 50% of the footballing ability he had at Ipswich.<ref name="open"/>


{{Blockquote|I always felt like a failure, to be honest, and it’s something I’ve found very, very difficult to get over. It’s not yet something I can see as an achievement... The margin is slim and I came out on the wrong side of it. I could have done more. I should have done more. There was some bad luck, but I could have done a few things differently too. I left something behind me and that’s not an easy thing to come to terms with.|Speaking in September 2018, O'Connor said that he was still unable to take any pride in his football career.<ref name="open"/>}}
{{Blockquote|I always felt like a failure, to be honest, and it's something I've found very, very difficult to get over. It's not yet something I can see as an achievement... The margin is slim and I came out on the wrong side of it. I could have done more. I should have done more. There was some bad luck, but I could have done a few things differently too. I left something behind me and that's not an easy thing to come to terms with.|Speaking in September 2018, O'Connor said that he was still unable to take any pride in his football career.<ref name="open"/>}}


===League of Ireland===
===League of Ireland===
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In January 2017, he signed for First Division rivals [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]].<ref name="open">{{cite news |last1=Dollery |first1=Paul |title='I left something behind me and that's not an easy thing to come to terms with' |url=https://www.the42.ie/shane-oconnor-interview-september-2018-4210603-Sep2018/ |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=The42 |date=9 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He also began working machinery operative at [[Dublin Port]].<ref name="open"/> He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at [[Athlone Town A.F.C.|Athlone Town]] on 24 February.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athlone Town 1 (Coss 88') Waterford FC 0 – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/fixture_and_result/athlone_league/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the "Blues" in a 1–1 draw at [[Shelbourne F.C.|Shelbourne]] on 30 June.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shelbourne v Waterford FC – SSE Airtricity League – 30/06/2017 – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/fixture_and_result/shelbourne300617/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> On 21 July, O'Connor scored twice against former side Cobh Ramblers in a 4–0 win that put Waterford nine points clear of Cobh Ramblers and [[University College Dublin A.F.C.|UCD]] at the top of the table with just seven games to play in the division.<ref>{{cite news|title=MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 4-0 Cobh Ramblers – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/match-report-waterford-fc-4-0-cobh-ramblers/|access-date=23 July 2017|work=Waterford FC|date=21 July 2017}}</ref> O'Connor continued his run of form with the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over UCD on 18 August.<ref>{{cite news|title=MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 1-0 UCD – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/match-report-waterford-fc-1-0-ucd/|access-date=20 August 2017|work=Waterford FC|date=18 August 2017}}</ref> Waterford were crowned First Division champions following a 3–0 victory over [[Wexford F.C.|Wexford]], finishing eight points ahead of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, and [[Promotion and relegation|promoted]] back to the Premier Division.<ref name="champ">{{cite web|title=Waterford FC Crowned First Division Champions – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/waterford-fc-crowned-first-division-champions/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=17 September 2017|date=16 September 2017}}</ref> O'Connor finished the [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]] season with 26 appearances and four goals to his name, and was voted as the club's Player of the Year by the members of the Blues Supporters Club.<ref name="poty2">{{cite web|title=O'Connor Names Supporters Club Player of the Year – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/oconnor-names-supporters-club-player-year/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=23 October 2017|date=17 October 2017}}</ref>
In January 2017, he signed for First Division rivals [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]].<ref name="open">{{cite news |last1=Dollery |first1=Paul |title='I left something behind me and that's not an easy thing to come to terms with' |url=https://www.the42.ie/shane-oconnor-interview-september-2018-4210603-Sep2018/ |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=The42 |date=9 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> He also began working machinery operative at [[Dublin Port]].<ref name="open"/> He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at [[Athlone Town A.F.C.|Athlone Town]] on 24 February.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athlone Town 1 (Coss 88') Waterford FC 0 – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/fixture_and_result/athlone_league/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the "Blues" in a 1–1 draw at [[Shelbourne F.C.|Shelbourne]] on 30 June.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shelbourne v Waterford FC – SSE Airtricity League – 30/06/2017 – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/fixture_and_result/shelbourne300617/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> On 21 July, O'Connor scored twice against former side Cobh Ramblers in a 4–0 win that put Waterford nine points clear of Cobh Ramblers and [[University College Dublin A.F.C.|UCD]] at the top of the table with just seven games to play in the division.<ref>{{cite news|title=MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 4-0 Cobh Ramblers – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/match-report-waterford-fc-4-0-cobh-ramblers/|access-date=23 July 2017|work=Waterford FC|date=21 July 2017}}</ref> O'Connor continued his run of form with the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over UCD on 18 August.<ref>{{cite news|title=MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 1-0 UCD – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/match-report-waterford-fc-1-0-ucd/|access-date=20 August 2017|work=Waterford FC|date=18 August 2017}}</ref> Waterford were crowned First Division champions following a 3–0 victory over [[Wexford F.C.|Wexford]], finishing eight points ahead of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, and [[Promotion and relegation|promoted]] back to the Premier Division.<ref name="champ">{{cite web|title=Waterford FC Crowned First Division Champions – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/waterford-fc-crowned-first-division-champions/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=17 September 2017|date=16 September 2017}}</ref> O'Connor finished the [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]] season with 26 appearances and four goals to his name, and was voted as the club's Player of the Year by the members of the Blues Supporters Club.<ref name="poty2">{{cite web|title=O'Connor Names Supporters Club Player of the Year – Waterford FC|url=http://www.waterfordfc.ie/oconnor-names-supporters-club-player-year/|website=Waterford FC|access-date=23 October 2017|date=17 October 2017}}</ref>


On 18 January 2018, O'Connor signed a one-year contract with First Division side [[Longford Town F.C.|Longford Town]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dempsey|first1=Andrew|title=Longford Town sign midfielder Shane O'Connor from Waterford – ExtraTime.ie|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20250/longford-town-sign-midfielder-shane-oconnor-from-waterford/|access-date=19 January 2018|work=ExtraTime.ie|date=18 January 2018|language=en-IE}}</ref> Injury restricted him to just three appearances before he left [[Bishopsgate (stadium)|Strokestown Road]] in June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Longford Town facing tough task away to league leaders UCD |url=https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/soccer/320945/longford-town-facing-tough-task-away-to-league-leaders-ucd.html |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Longford Leader |date=28 June 2018}}</ref> He then relocated to work as a courier for the [[Health Service Executive]].<ref name="open"/> He re-joined Cobh Ramblers in July 2018 and featured four times in the [[2018 League of Ireland First Division|2018]] season, including an appearance in the [[2018 League of Ireland Cup]] final defeat to [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] at [[Brandywell Stadium]]; his penalty was saved by [[Gerard Doherty]] in the last kick of the game and the score ended as 3–1 to Derry.<ref name="2018foa">{{cite news |title=EA Sports Final |url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/derry-city-fc-vs-cobh-ramblers/id-024D4CDN68000000VUM100GLVS3CKR0N |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=sseairtricityleague.ie |date=16 September 2018}}</ref>
On 18 January 2018, O'Connor signed a one-year contract with First Division side [[Longford Town F.C.|Longford Town]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dempsey|first1=Andrew|title=Longford Town sign midfielder Shane O'Connor from Waterford – ExtraTime.ie|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20250/longford-town-sign-midfielder-shane-oconnor-from-waterford/|access-date=19 January 2018|work=ExtraTime.ie|date=18 January 2018|language=en-IE}}</ref> Injury restricted him to just three appearances before he left [[Bishopsgate (stadium)|Strokestown Road]] in June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |title=Longford Town facing tough task away to league leaders UCD |url=https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/soccer/320945/longford-town-facing-tough-task-away-to-league-leaders-ucd.html |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Longford Leader |date=28 June 2018}}</ref> He then relocated to work as a courier for the [[Health Service Executive]].<ref name="open"/> He re-joined Cobh Ramblers in July 2018 and featured four times in the [[2018 League of Ireland First Division|2018]] season, including an appearance in the [[2018 League of Ireland Cup]] final defeat to [[Derry City F.C.|Derry City]] at [[Brandywell Stadium]]; his penalty was saved by [[Gerard Doherty]] in the last kick of the game and the score ended as 3–1 to Derry.<ref name="2018foa">{{cite news |title=EA Sports final |url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/derry-city-fc-vs-cobh-ramblers/id-024D4CDN68000000VUM100GLVS3CKR0N |access-date=6 April 2020 |work=sseairtricityleague.ie |date=16 September 2018}}</ref>


==International career==
==International career==
Line 118: Line 118:


==Honours==
==Honours==
;Waterford
'''Waterford'''
*[[League of Ireland First Division]]: [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]]<ref name="champ"/>
*[[League of Ireland First Division]]: [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]]<ref name="champ"/>


;Cobh Ramblers
'''Cobh Ramblers'''
*[[League of Ireland Cup]] runner-up: [[2018 League of Ireland Cup|2018]]<ref name="2018foa"/>
*[[League of Ireland Cup]] runner-up: [[2018 League of Ireland Cup|2018]]<ref name="2018foa"/>


;Individual
'''Individual'''
*[[Cobh Ramblers F.C.|Cobh Ramblers]] Player of the Year: [[2015 League of Ireland First Division|2015]]<ref name="poty"/>
*[[Cobh Ramblers F.C.|Cobh Ramblers]] Player of the Year: [[2015 League of Ireland First Division|2015]]<ref name="poty"/>
*[[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] Player of the Year: [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]]<ref name="poty2"/>
*[[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] Player of the Year: [[2017 League of Ireland First Division|2017]]<ref name="poty2"/>
Line 151: Line 151:
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:League of Ireland players]]
[[Category:League of Ireland players]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 23:03, 13 November 2024

Shane O'Connor
Personal information
Full name Shane Edward O'Connor[1]
Date of birth (1990-04-14) 14 April 1990 (age 34)[2]
Place of birth Cork, Ireland[2]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Left back / Winger
Youth career
Wilton United
Rockmount
2006–2009 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2012 Ipswich Town 17 (0)
2011–2012 → Port Vale (loan) 0 (0)
2012 Cork City 5 (0)
2012 Shamrock Rovers 3 (0)
2013–2014 Portadown 10 (0)
2014 Limerick 11 (0)
2015–2016 Cobh Ramblers 50 (9)
2017 Waterford 23 (4)
2018 Longford Town 3 (0)
2018–2019 Cobh Ramblers 12 (1)
Total 134 (14)
International career
Republic of Ireland U17
Republic of Ireland U19
2011 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Shane O'Connor (born 14 April 1990) is an Irish former professional footballer.

A graduate of the Liverpool F.C. Academy, he signed professionally with Ipswich Town in July 2009. He represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-19, and under-21 levels. He joined Port Vale on a six-week loan spell in November 2011, though he did not make a first-team appearance. He left Ipswich in January 2012 and subsequently had spells signed with Cork City, Shamrock Rovers, Portadown, Limerick, Cobh Ramblers, Waterford and Longford Town. He helped the Waterford to win promotion as champions of the League of Ireland First Division in 2017. He spent the first half of 2018 with Longford Town, rejoining Cobh Ramblers in July 2018.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

O'Connor played for Wilton United and Rockmount before joining the Liverpool Academy as a sixteen-year-old.[3][4][5] He started playing regularly for the under-18 side in the early 2008–09 Premier Academy League season.

Ipswich Town

[edit]

In July 2009, after a short trial O'Connor signed a one-year deal with Championship side Ipswich Town, who were managed by his boyhood hero, Roy Keane.[6][7] O'Connor made his debut for Ipswich in the League Cup away against Shrewsbury Town, replacing Jack Ainsley as a substitute at half-time; the "Tractor Boys" went on to win the match on penalties following a 3–3 draw.[8] He made his first league start for Ipswich on 20 February, in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. He played a further eleven league games for Ipswich in 2009–10; he impressed in midfield against Cardiff City,[9] though gave away a penalty in a draw at home to Doncaster Rovers.[10] At the end of the campaign he was handed a new two-year deal, which he eventually signed.[11] However, experienced player Mark Kennedy was also signed for a £75,000 fee, and was expected to battle O'Connor for the left-back spot.[12]

He appeared in five of the club's first six games of 2010–11. He was then dropped from the first-team after suffering from a tore hamstring on international duty,[13][14] and did not play again until a three-game spell in December. He set up Jason Scotland for Ipswich's third in a 3–0 win over Leicester City at Portman Road on 18 December.[15] However, he ruptured and dislocated his shoulder joint,[16] and so did not appear again until 25 January, in a 3–0 League Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.[17] This was his last contribution to the campaign, and he was not selected again under Paul Jewell's stewardship, with whom he had a poor relationship.[18]

At the start of the 2011–12 season, he rejected a six-month loan deal at Crawley Town.[19] However, he did not feature for Ipswich, and so in November 2011, he joined Crawley's League Two rivals Port Vale on loan.[20] He saw the loan as an opportunity to win a permanent contract away from Portman Road.[21] He played a number of reserve team games,[22] but never made a matchday squad at Vale Park before his loan spell ended in January; he felt disillusioned upon his arrival at the club when manager Micky Adams asked him what position he played.[18] He then had a trial with Southend United, also of League Two,[23] before leaving Ipswich Town by mutual consent on 20 January.[24] He later admitted he struggled with depression and problem gambling after leaving the English professional football scene, and as a result lost 50% of the footballing ability he had at Ipswich.[18]

I always felt like a failure, to be honest, and it's something I've found very, very difficult to get over. It's not yet something I can see as an achievement... The margin is slim and I came out on the wrong side of it. I could have done more. I should have done more. There was some bad luck, but I could have done a few things differently too. I left something behind me and that's not an easy thing to come to terms with.

— Speaking in September 2018, O'Connor said that he was still unable to take any pride in his football career.[18]

League of Ireland

[edit]

He was linked with a move into Irish football, as both Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers expressed an interest in acquiring his services.[25] He was revealed as a Cork City player on 2 February 2012.[26] He made only five league appearances for the "Leesiders". He went on trial at Crawley Town in July 2012.[27]

O'Connor signed for Shamrock Rovers on 31 July.[28] He made his competitive debut for Rovers in the final of the 2012 Leinster Senior Cup, which ended in a 1–0 win over St Patrick's CY.[29] He made his League of Ireland debut against Bohemians the following week, and made a total of five appearances for the "Hoops".[30] O'Connor signed with Portadown in October 2013.[31] He spent the 2014 season with Limerick, playing 11 League of Ireland Premier Division games. He dropped into the League of Ireland First Division to play for Cobh Ramblers in January 2015.[32] He was voted the club's Player of the Year for the 2015 season.[33] He went on to score nine goals in 26 league appearances during the 2016 campaign.

In January 2017, he signed for First Division rivals Waterford.[18] He also began working machinery operative at Dublin Port.[18] He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at Athlone Town on 24 February.[34] He scored his first goal for the "Blues" in a 1–1 draw at Shelbourne on 30 June.[35] On 21 July, O'Connor scored twice against former side Cobh Ramblers in a 4–0 win that put Waterford nine points clear of Cobh Ramblers and UCD at the top of the table with just seven games to play in the division.[36] O'Connor continued his run of form with the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over UCD on 18 August.[37] Waterford were crowned First Division champions following a 3–0 victory over Wexford, finishing eight points ahead of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, and promoted back to the Premier Division.[38] O'Connor finished the 2017 season with 26 appearances and four goals to his name, and was voted as the club's Player of the Year by the members of the Blues Supporters Club.[39]

On 18 January 2018, O'Connor signed a one-year contract with First Division side Longford Town.[40] Injury restricted him to just three appearances before he left Strokestown Road in June 2018.[41] He then relocated to work as a courier for the Health Service Executive.[18] He re-joined Cobh Ramblers in July 2018 and featured four times in the 2018 season, including an appearance in the 2018 League of Ireland Cup final defeat to Derry City at Brandywell Stadium; his penalty was saved by Gerard Doherty in the last kick of the game and the score ended as 3–1 to Derry.[42]

International career

[edit]

He made his debut appearance for the Republic of Ireland national under-21 team on 26 March 2011, in what ended as a 2–1 defeat to Portugal at the Estádio Municipal de Águeda; he was replaced by Ipswich teammate Conor Hourihane at half-time.[43] He previously appeared for the under-17 and under-19 side.[2]

Career statistics

[edit]
Club Season Division League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Ipswich Town 2009–10[44] Championship 12 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 13 0
2010–11[45] Championship 5 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 9 0
2011–12[46] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 17 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 22 0
Port Vale (loan) 2011–12[46] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cork City 2012[47] LOI Premier Division 5 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 7 0
Shamrock Rovers 2012[47] LOI Premier Division 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Portadown 2013–14[48] NIFL Premiership 10 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 11 0
Limerick 2014[47] LOI Premier Division 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
Cobh Ramblers 2015[47] LOI First Division 24 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 26 0
2016[47] LOI First Division 26 9 1 0 1 0 0 0 28 9
Total 50 9 1 0 3 0 0 0 54 9
Waterford 2017[49] LOI First Division 23 4 0 0 3 0 0 0 26 4
Longford Town 2018[49] LOI First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Cobh Ramblers 2018[49] LOI First Division 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0
2019[47] LOI First Division 9 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 11 1
Total 12 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 15 1
Career total 134 14 2 0 17 0 0 0 147 14

Honours

[edit]

Waterford

Cobh Ramblers

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shane O'Connor". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d "Profile". itfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Shane O'Connor". Green Scene. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Shane O'Connor signs for Ramblers". cobhramblers.ie. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  5. ^ Shaw, Steve (3 December 2011). "O'Connor is Keane to pass on credit for his career". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Shane to sign deal". itfc.co.uk. 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Ipswich complete O'Connor signing". BBC Sport. 28 July 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Shrewsbury 3–3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Ipswich 2 – 0 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 9 March 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  10. ^ "Ipswich 1 – 1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 17 April 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Defender Shane O'Connor signs new Ipswich Town deal". BBC Sport. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  12. ^ "Ipswich close on Cardiff City defender Mark Kennedy". BBC Sport. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Ipswich Town trio handed fitness boost". BBC Sport. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Ipswich boss Roy Keane lining up Premier League loan". BBC Sport. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  15. ^ "Ipswich 3 – 0 Leicester". BBC Sport. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Ipswich Town dealt Brian Murphy and Shane O'Connor blow". BBC Sport. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Arsenal 3 – 0 Ipswich (agg 3 – 1)". BBC Sport. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Dollery, Paul (9 September 2018). "'I left something behind me and that's not an easy thing to come to terms with'". The42. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Paul Jewell has 'fierce' Ipswich Town drive". BBC Sport. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Port Vale sign three players on loan ahead of deadline". BBC Sport. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  21. ^ "Port Vale: O'Connor out to impress potential suitors". The Sentinel. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
  22. ^ Questier, Joe (13 December 2011). "Reserves Host Burton". port-vale.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  23. ^ "Ipswich Town's Shane O'Connor joins Southend United on trial". BBC Sport. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  24. ^ "Ipswich Town cancel Shane O'Connor contract". BBC Sport. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  25. ^ "Dundalk step up their pursuit of Shane O'Connor". thescore.ie. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  26. ^ Buckley, Eanna (2 February 2012). "Shane O'Connor Signs for City, Sullivan & Murphy Re-sign". corkcityfc.net. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  27. ^ "Crawley eyeing former Ipswich defender". talksport.co.uk. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  28. ^ "Rovers add defender Shane O'Connor to their squad". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  29. ^ "Rovers 1:0 St Patricks CY". shamrockrovers.ie. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  30. ^ "Rovers 0:1 Bohemians". shamrockrovers.ie. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  31. ^ "Former Ipswich ace signs on with Ports". Portadown Times. 30 October 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  32. ^ "Shane O'Connor signs for Ramblers – Cobh Ramblers Football Club". cobhramblers.ie. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  33. ^ a b "Noel Spillane chats with Shane O'Connor – Cobh Ramblers Football Club". cobhramblers.ie. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  34. ^ "Athlone Town 1 (Coss 88') Waterford FC 0 – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  35. ^ "Shelbourne v Waterford FC – SSE Airtricity League – 30/06/2017 – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  36. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 4-0 Cobh Ramblers – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  37. ^ "MATCH REPORT: Waterford FC 1-0 UCD – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  38. ^ a b "Waterford FC Crowned First Division Champions – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. 16 September 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  39. ^ a b "O'Connor Names Supporters Club Player of the Year – Waterford FC". Waterford FC. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  40. ^ Dempsey, Andrew (18 January 2018). "Longford Town sign midfielder Shane O'Connor from Waterford – ExtraTime.ie". ExtraTime.ie. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  41. ^ "Longford Town facing tough task away to league leaders UCD". Longford Leader. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  42. ^ a b "EA Sports final". sseairtricityleague.ie. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Late goals shade it for Portugal U21s". The Football Association of Ireland. 26 March 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2011.
  44. ^ "Games played by Shane O'Connor in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  45. ^ "Games played by Shane O'Connor in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  46. ^ a b "Games played by Shane O'Connor in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  47. ^ a b c d e f Shane O'Connor at Soccerway
  48. ^ Shane O'Connor at Soccerway
  49. ^ a b c Shane O'Connor at Soccerway
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