:Des McAleenan
{{Short description|Irish footballer (1967–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Des McAleenan
| fullname = Desmond McAleenan
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = 12 June 1967
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2021|2|26|53|df=y}}
| death_place = Dublin, Ireland
| height =
| position = Goalkeeper
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Stella Maris
| collegeyears1 = 1988–1992
| college1 = Central Connecticut State University
| collegecaps1 =
| collegegoals1 =
| years1 = 1992–1995
| clubs1 = Connecticut Wolves
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 1996
| clubs2 = Albany Alleycats
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| manageryears1 = 2002–2011
| managerclubs1 = New York Red Bulls (goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears2 = 2011–2017
| managerclubs2 = Al-Hilal FC (goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears3 = 2016
| managerclubs3 = United States (youth goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears4 = 2019–2020
| managerclubs4 = Colombia (goalkeeping coach)
}}
Desmond McAleenan (12 June 1967 – 26 February 2021) was an Irish-American soccer player and coach who played as a goalkeeper.
Career
Born in Dublin, Ireland, McAleenan grew up in Artane, a suburb of the city.{{cite web |title=Tributes for Irish goalkeeping coach Des McAleenan who has died aged 53 |url=https://www.the42.ie/des-mcaleenan-rip-5367352-Feb2021/ |website=The 42 |access-date=1 March 2021 |date=28 February 2021}} He played schoolboy football with Stella Maris.
He moved to the United States in 1988 and played for Central Connecticut State University for four years. He played professionally in the USL Championship for Connecticut Wolves from 1992 to 1995 and for Albany Alleycats.{{cite web |title=New York Red Bulls: Roster: Player Bio |url=http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t107&player=mcaleenan_des |website=redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com |access-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225055151/http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t107&player=mcaleenan_des |archive-date=25 December 2007}}
He was with the MetroStars franchise as goalkeeping coach for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer from 2002 until his dismissal on 28 February 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/red-bulls-release-williams-and-mcaleenan-from-coaching-duties/n-4160115|title=Red Bulls Release Williams and McAleenan from Coaching Duties - OurSports Central|website=www.oursportscentral.com|date=28 February 2011 |accessdate=27 February 2021}} He coached goalkeepers including Tim Howard and US full internationals Tony Meola and Jonny Walker.
He served as goalkeeping coach for the Colombia national team under manager Carlos Queiroz.
He died on 26 February 2021, aged 53, having battled with depression for years.{{cite web |last1=O'Callaghan |first1=Eoin |title=Remembering the amazing career and life of Des McAleenan |url=https://www.the42.ie/des-mcaleenan-tribute-5394284-Mar2021/ |website=The 42 |access-date=15 February 2024 |date=28 March 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://redwing.cornerkicksystems.com/files/document/file_name/5047/Goalkeeper_Workout_U-11_and_older.pdf Des's Goalkeeper Workout (PDF)] {{dead link|date=May 2019}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071225174323/http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/200608/market_open_081706.stm Ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ]
{{DEFAULTSORT:McAleenan, Des}}
Category:People from Artane, Dublin
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:USL Second Division players
Category:Stella Maris F.C. players
Category:Connecticut Wolves players
Category:Albany Alleycats players
Category:American soccer coaches
Category:New York Red Bulls non-playing staff
Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
Category:Central Connecticut State University alumni
Category:Irish emigrants to the United States
Category:Association footballers from County Dublin
Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen
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