:Rory Donnelly

Donnelly was born in Belfast.{{Hugman|26600|accessdate=13 April 2020}} He made his Cliftonville debut on 7 September 2010, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–0 defeat against Linfield at Windsor Park in the County Antrim Shield. He went on to make 33 league and cup appearances in the 2010–11 season, scoring 7 league goals.{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rory-donnelly/154597/ | title=R. Donnelly | publisher=Soccerway | accessdate=22 December 2011}}

The 2011–12 season started well for Donnelly. In October 2011 he scored a hat-trick in a 6–2 win over Linfield in the County Antrim Shield,{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15445636.stm | title=Cliftonville 6–2 Linfield | work=BBC Sport | accessdate=17 January 2012}} the same opposition in the same competition as his debut a year earlier.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16322376.stm | title=Rory Donnelly completes Swansea City move | work=BBC Sport | date=10 January 2012 | accessdate=17 January 2012}} In November 2011 he scored four goals in a league match against Ballymena United in a 7–3 win to catch the eye of an unnamed Championship club.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15804719.stm | title=Ballymena Utd 3–7 Cliftonville | work=BBC Sport | accessdate=23 December 2011}}{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15805718.stm | title=Championship club wants Cliftonville striker Donnelly | work=BBC Sport | accessdate=23 December 2011}}

His good form. continued, and he scored 13 goals in his first 18 league games of the 2011–12 season to attract interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, with the latter club's manager, Kenny Dalglish, confirming they had registered their interest.{{cite news | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/12/21/kenny-dalglish-confirms-liverpool-fc-s-interest-in-rory-donnelly-100252-29987350/ | title=Kenny Dalglish confirms Liverpool FC's interest in Rory Donnelly | newspaper=Liverpool Echo | accessdate=23 December 2011}}

Donnelly made his final appearance for Cliftonville on 17 December 2011, in a 2–1 home defeat against Coleraine. He had scored a total of 22 goals in 54 league and cup appearances spanning two seasons.

In December 2011, Swansea City offered £100,000 for Donnelly, before Everton bid "considerably more".{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16291885.stm | title=Everton make bid for Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly | work=BBC Sport | accessdate=23 December 2011}} The Welsh club then upped their bid and Donnelly agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Swansea on 30 December 2011 for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/7398107/Swans-close-on-Donnelly | title=Swans close on Donnelly | publisher=Sky Sports | accessdate=30 December 2011}}{{cite web | url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7402537/Donnelly-joins-Swansea | title=Swansea win Donnelly race | publisher=Sky Sports | date=30 December 2011 | accessdate=30 December 2011}} The transfer was completed on 10 January 2012, and Donnelly was given the shirt number 41.

Donnelly scored on his debut for the reserves in a 2–2 draw with Chelsea's reserves at Parc y Scarlets on 28 March 2012.{{cite web | url=http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~2572384,00.html | title=Swans receive clearance for duo | publisher=swanseacity.net | date=10 January 2012 | accessdate=17 January 2012}}

Donnelly made his first senior appearance for Swansea in a League Cup fixture against Crawley Town on 25 September 2012, coming on as a substitute for Michu.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19632482 | title=Crawley 2 – 3 Swansea | publisher=BBC | date=25 September 2012 | accessdate=25 September 2012}} His full début came the next season in a Europa League play-off against Petrolul Ploiești which ended in a 2–1 defeat.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23790978 |title=Petrolul Pioesti 2–1 Swansea | publisher=BBC | date=29 August 2013 | accessdate=3 September 2013}}

On 28 May 2015, Swansea City confirmed that Donnelly had been released by the club.{{cite news | url=http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Alan-Tate-Gerhard-Tremmel-Rory-Donnelly-David/story-26591196-detail/story.html |title=Alan Tate, Gerhard Tremmel and Rory Donnelly among names who bid farewell to Swansea City | newspaper=South Wales Evening Post | date=28 May 2015 | accessdate=28 May 2015}}

On 31 January 2014, Donnelly joined Coventry City on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web |title=Sky Blues seal striker loan deal |url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/rory-donnelly-coventry-city-swansea-city-league-one-310114-1329978.aspx |work=Coventry City FC |date=31 January 2014}} On 4 February 2014, it was confirmed that Donnelly had returned to Swansea City due to non-footballing personal reasons.{{Cite web |title=Rory Donnelly returns to Swansea City |url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/article/rory-donnelly-returns-swansea-city-coventry-city-league-one-040214-1339421.aspx |work=Coventry City FC |date=4 February 2014}}

On 6 February 2015, Donnelly was named the League Two Player of the Month for January{{cite news |url=http://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/tranmere-striker-rory-donnelly-named-league-2-player-of-the-month-for-january-2015-2250805.aspx |title=Rory Donnelly Named League 2 Player Of The Month |publisher=Tranmere Rovers F.C. |date=6 February 2015 |accessdate=24 November 2015}} after scoring 3 goals in his first month at the club, taking Tranmere Rovers out of the relegation zone.

Donnelly joined Gillingham on a free transfer in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33290266|title=Gills add ex-Swans striker Donnelly|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

On 28 April 2017, the club announced that he had "been suspended from his employment at the club with immediate effect".{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gills-suspend-striker-124823/|title=Rory Donnelly has been suspended by Gillingham|work=Kent Online|access-date=2017-05-24|language=en-GB}} On 15 May, it was confirmed that he had been fined £700 after being caught driving without a full licence.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/gills-man-fined-for-driving-125674/|title=Gillingham FC striker Ruaridhri 'Rory' Donnelly fined after being caught driving without a full licence in Dock Head Road, Chatham|work=Kent Online|access-date=2017-05-24|language=en-GB}} Five days later, the club announced that Donnelly had been released at the end of his contract.{{Cite news|url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2017/may/retained-list-announced/|title=RETAINED LIST ANNOUNCED|access-date=2017-05-24|language=en}}

On 29 August 2017, Donnelly returned to Cliftonville signing a three-year contract.{{cite news|title=Irish Premiership: Rory Donnelly makes Cliftonville return|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41090311|accessdate=3 October 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=29 August 2017}}

On 31 January 2020, Donnelly joined East Belfast side Glentoran, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract.{{cite news|title=Ruaidhri Donnelly: Glentoran sign striker from Irish Premiership rivals Cliftonville|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51327512|accessdate=31 January 2020|work=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2020}} He made his debut for the side in a 0–0 draw against Carrick Rangers in the NIFL Premiership on 14 February 2020.{{Cite web|title=Glentoran 0-0 Carrick Rangers {{!}} Glentoran FC|url=https://www.glentoran.com/news/glentoran-0-0-carrick-rangers|access-date=2020-08-01|website=www.glentoran.com}}

Donnelly started the match as Glentoran defeated Ballymena United 2–1 in the final of the 2019–20 Irish Cup. The game was the first football match in the United Kingdom to host fans since the COVID-19 outbreak, with 250 fans from each team permitted at Windsor Park.{{Cite news|title=Irish Cup final: Robbie McDaid wins it for Glentoran deep into extra-time after thrilling decider against Ballymena United at Windsor Park|language=en-GB|work=belfasttelegraph|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/irish-cup-final-robbie-mcdaid-wins-it-for-glentoran-deep-into-extra-time-after-thrilling-decider-against-ballymena-united-at-windsor-park-39413759.html|access-date=2020-08-01|issn=0307-1235}}

On 10 April 2021, he scored a brace in a 2–0 win over Dungannon Swifts, including a header around 40 yards from goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.glentoran.com/news/glentoran-2-0-dungannon-swifts-0 |title=Glentoran 2-0 Dungannon Swifts |website=Glentoran.com |date=10 April 2021 }}

On 1 February 2024, Donnelly joined NIFL Championship side Newington on loan for the remainder of the season.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-01 |title=Rory Donnelly: Forward joins Newington on loan from Glentoran |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68166217 |access-date=2025-03-09 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

On 7 May 2024, it was announced that Donnelly would be one of ten players departing Glentoran upon the expiry of their contracts.{{cite news |title=Player Departures Announced |url=https://www.glentoran.com/news/player-departures-announced |accessdate=7 May 2024 |work=glentoran.com |date=7 May 2024 |language=en-gb}}

Donnelly returned to Cliftonville for a third time on 16 July 2024, signing a one-year deal with the club.{{cite news |title=Donn deal on striker’s return |url=https://cliftonvillefc.net/2024/07/16/donn-deal-on-strikers-return/ |accessdate=16 July 2024 |work=cliftonvillefc.net |date=16 July 2024 |language=en-gb}}

In November 2011, he was called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21s for the first time, but he did not feature in the match against Serbia.{{cite news | url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/cliftonville-star-donnelly-now-gunning-for-serbia-16076501.html | title=Cliftonville star Donnelly now gunning for Serbia | newspaper=The Belfast Telegraph | accessdate=23 December 2011}}{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/11/15/europe/uefa-under-21-championship/northern-ireland-u21/serbia-u21/1094004/ | title=North. Ireland U21 vs. Serbia U21 0 – 2 | publisher=Soccerway | accessdate=23 December 2011}} In June 2013, Donnelly informed the IFA that he did not wish to be considered for selection for Northern Ireland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22745927|title=McAlinden quits NI for Republic|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} However, he then made his under-21 debut against Denmark in August 2013{{cite web | url=http://www.irishfa.com/international/item/8492/u21s-lose-to-denmark/ | title=U21s LOSE TO DENMARK | publisher=Irish FA | accessdate=17 August 2013}}

{{Updated|1 September 2019}}

!colspan="2"|Total

|-

!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

|-

|rowspan="3"|Cliftonville

|2010–11

|IFA Premiership||31||7||0||0||2||0||0||0||33||7

|-

|2011–12

|IFA Premiership||19||13||0||0||3||2||0||0||22||15

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!50!!20!!0!!0!!5!!2!!0!!0!!55!!22

|-

|rowspan="4"|Swansea City

|2012–13{{Soccerbase season|57274|2012|name=Rory Donnelly|access-date=19 February 2016}}

|Premier League||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||1||0

|-

|2013–14{{Soccerbase season|57274|2013|name=Rory Donnelly|access-date=19 February 2016}}

|Premier League||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0

|-

|2014–15{{Soccerbase season|57274|2014|name=Rory Donnelly|access-date=19 February 2016}}

|Premier League||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!0!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0

|-

|Coventry City (loan)

|2013–14

|League One||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0

|-

|Tranmere Rovers (loan)

|2014–15

|League Two||20||5||0||0||0||0||0||0||20||5

|-

|rowspan="3"|Gillingham

|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|57274|2015|name=Rory Donnelly|access-date=19 February 2016}}

|League One||38||10||1||0||2||0||1||0||42||10

|-

|2016–17{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=57274|title=Rory Donnelly {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Gillingham {{!}} Age 25 {{!}} Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com|access-date=2017-05-24}}

|League One||28||2||2||0||0||0||3||0||33||2

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!66!!12!!3!!0!!2!!0!!4!!0!!75!!12

|-

|rowspan="4"|Cliftonville

|2017–18

|NIFL Premiership||34||11||4||3||3||1||0||0||41||15

|-

|2018–19

|NIFL Premiership||27||15||0||0||2||0||2||0||31||15

|-

|2019–20

|NIFL Premiership||4||2||0||0||0||0||4||1||8||3

|-

!colspan="2"|Total

!65!!28!!4!!3!!5!!1!!6!!1!!80!!33

|-

!colspan="3"|Career total

!201!!65!!7!!3!!13!!3!!11!!1!!232!!72

|}

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• {{soccerway}}

{{Cliftonville F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donnelly, Rory}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Association footballers from Belfast

Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland

Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:Cliftonville F.C. players

Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players

Category:Coventry City F.C. players

Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players

Category:Gillingham F.C. players

Category:Glentoran F.C. players

Category:NIFL Premiership players

Category:NIFL Championship players

Category:English Football League players

Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland