Conor Shaughnessy

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Conor Shaughnessy

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Conor Glynn Shaughnessy{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-released-and-retained-list---2016-17.pdf |title=EFL Released and Retained List 2016-17 |publisher=English Football League |accessdate=9 August 2017}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|6|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Galway, Ireland

| height =

| position = Centre-back / Central midfielder

| currentclub = Portsmouth

| clubnumber = 6

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Mervue United

| youthyears2 = 2012–2016

| youthclubs2 = Reading

| youthyears3 = 2016–2017

| youthclubs3 = Leeds United

| years1 = 2017–2021

| clubs1 = Leeds United

| caps1 = 9

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2019

| clubs2 = → Heart of Midlothian (loan)

| caps2 = 10

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2019–2020

| clubs3 = → Mansfield Town (loan)

| caps3 = 15

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2020

| clubs4 = → Burton Albion (loan)

| caps4 = 8

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2021

| clubs5 = Rochdale

| caps5 = 15

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2021–2023

| clubs6 = Burton Albion

| caps6 = 57

| goals6 = 4

| years7 = 2023–

| clubs7 = Portsmouth

| caps7 = 51

| goals7 = 5

| nationalyears1 = 2011–2012

| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U15

| nationalcaps1 = 4

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2012

| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U16

| nationalcaps2 = 2

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2013

| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U17

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2012

| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland U18

| nationalcaps4 = 1

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2017–2018

| nationalteam5 = Republic of Ireland U21

| nationalcaps5 = 3

| nationalgoals5 = 0

| club-update = 19 February 2025 (UTC)

}}

Conor Glynn Shaughnessy (born 30 June 1996) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for {{English football updater|Portsmou}} club Portsmouth.{{cite web|title=35. Conor Shaughnessy|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=106486|website=Soccerbase|accessdate=16 August 2017}}

He is also able to operate as a central midfielder. He has represented the Republic of Ireland national football team at U15 through to U21 level.

Club career

=Reading=

Shaughnessy started his career at English club Reading, joining in 2012 after a successful trial and signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/reading-fc-under-18s-v-liverpool-6805227|title=Reading FC Under-18s v Liverpool Under-18s: Ones to watch|last=Low|first=Jonathan|date=2014-03-12|website=getreading|access-date=2018-12-16}} He was a regular for the Reading U18 and U21 teams; however, he never played competitively for the club and was released in May 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11673/10276086/reading-release-simon-cox-anton-ferdinand-and-hal-robson-kanu|title=Reading release Simon Cox, Anton Ferdinand and Hal Robson-Kanu|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}

=Leeds United=

Following a successful trial, Shaughnessy was given a one-year contract with the Leeds United development squad in September 2016. He did not make any first team appearances during the 2016-2017 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/21020/young-midfielder-joins-development-squad|title=YOUNG MIDFIELDER JOINS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD|date=2016-09-01|website=www.leedsunited.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}} His contract was extended by a year in May 2017,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39947877|title=Charlie Taylor: Leeds United offer left-back new contract|date=2017-05-17|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2018-12-16|language=en-GB}} and he made his professional debut in a 3–2 away victory over Bolton Wanderers on 6 August 2017, replacing injured teammate Matthew Pennington at centre back in the 66th minute and promptly giving away a penalty.{{Cite web|url=https://www.audiospace.co/|title=AudioSpace {{!}} Radio station streaming, apps and websites|website=www.audiospace.co|access-date=2018-12-16}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/soccer/report?gameId=483688|title=Bolton Wanderers vs. Leeds United - Football Match Report - August 6, 2017 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}{{citation|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/22152/report-bolton-wanderers-2-3-leeds-united|title=REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 2–3 LEEDS UNITED|website=Leeds United official site|date=6 August 2017}} He made his first start in the following game, on 9 August 2017 in a 4–1 League Cup victory against Port Vale at Elland Road,{{cite news|title=Leeds United 4-1 Port Vale|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40798475|work=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2017}} and first League start six days later against Fulham.{{cite news |title=Leeds 0-0 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40858332|publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2017 |accessdate=12 August 2017}} He signed a new four-year contract with Leeds the following month.{{cite web|title=SHAUGHNESSY EXTENDS CONTRACT|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/22354/shaughnessy-extends-contract|website=Leeds Official Website |accessdate=21 September 2017 |df=dmy }} On 7 January 2018, Shaughnessy scored an own goal in Leeds' 2–1 shock defeat to Newport County in the FA Cup.{{citation|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/match-centre|title=Newport County Vs Leeds|website=Leeds United|date=7 January 2018}}

Shaughnessy picked up a serious ankle injury when he started in Leeds' 0–0 draw against Hull City on 30 January 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/22951/report-hull-city-0-0-leeds-united|title=Hull 0 Leeds 0|website=www.leedsunited.com|date=30 January 2018|accessdate=30 January 2018}} with head coach Thomas Christiansen revealing Shaughnessy could spend several weeks/months out injured.{{cite web |url= https://www.leedsunited.com/video/93536/press-conference-thomas-christiansen |title= PRESS CONFERENCE {{!}} THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN |website= www.leedsunited.com |date= 2 February 2018 |accessdate= 2 February 2018}} The injury ultimately ruled Shaughnessy out for the remainder of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=106486&season_id=150|title=Conor Shaughnessy {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Leeds United {{!}} Season 2017/2018 {{!}} Soccer Base|website=www.soccerbase.com|access-date=2018-12-16}}

On 14 August 2018, Shaughnessy returned to a match-day squad for the first time, when he was named on the bench for Leeds in the EFL Cup fixture against Bolton Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Leeds United vs Bolton|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/44797130 |publisher=Leeds United |date=14 August 2018 |accessdate=14 August 2018}} He made his first appearance after injury when he started against Preston North End on 28 August 2018.{{cite news |title=Leeds 0 Preston 2|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45254602|newspaper=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2018 |accessdate=30 August 2018}} The return to form - and from injury - of Leeds' back line limited Shaughnessy's playing time with the first team, but an interview in September 2018 indicated that Head Coach Marcelo Bielsa had firm plans for the youngster in the 2018-19 campaign and beyond.{{cite web|title=Leeds' Conor Shaughnessy on Ireland, Injuries and Life Under Bielsa|url=http://www.punditarena.com/football/oisinmcqueirns2758/leeds-conor-shaughnessy-on-ireland-injuries-life-under-bielsa/|website=Pundit Arena |author=McQueirns, Oisin|date=24 September 2018 |accessdate=10 October 2018}}

==Hearts loan==

On 7 January 2019, Shaughnessy joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal.{{cite web|title=Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy seals Hearts loan move|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-defender-conor-shaughnessy-seals-hearts-loan-move-1-9522985|website=YEP |date=7 January 2019 |accessdate=27 January 2019}} He made his debut on 20 January starting for Hearts in a 1–0 win against Livingston in the Scottish FA Cup, before making his league debut on 23 January in the SPL against Dundee.{{cite web|title=Conor Shaughnessy|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=106486|website=Soccerbase|date=27 January 2019 |accessdate=27 January 2019}}

On 25 May 2019, Shaughnessy received a 2018–19 Scottish Cup runners-up medal after being named on the bench for the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park after losing 2–1 in the final against Celtic.{{cite web|title=Hearts 1 Celtic 2|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=106486|website=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2019 |accessdate=1 June 2019}} In total he made 11 appearances for Hearts in all competitions.{{cite web|title=Conor Shaughnessy|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=106486&season_id=151|website=Soccerbase|date=1 June 2019 |accessdate=1 June 2019}}

==Mansfield Town loan==

On 2 September 2019, Shaughnessy joined League Two side Mansfield Town on a season-long loan after failing to fit into Bielsa's immediate plans.{{cite web|title=Conor Shaughnessy: Mansfield Town sign Leeds United defender|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49554221|website=BBC Sport|date=2 September 2019 |accessdate=4 September 2019}}

==Burton Albion loan==

After his loan at Mansfield was ended early, Shaughnessy signed on loan for League One club Burton Albion on 13 January 2020 for the rest of the 2019–20 season.{{cite web|title=Conor Shaughnessy: Conor Shaughnessy: Burton Albion sign defender on loan from Leeds United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/510982821|website=BBC Sport|date=13 January 2020 |accessdate=13 January 2020}}

=Rochdale=

On 1 February 2021, Shaughnessy joined Rochdale on an 18 month contract.{{cite web|title=Conor Shaughnessy Joins Dale|url=https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2021/february/conorshaughnessysigning/|website=Rochdale AFC|date=1 February 2021|accessdate=1 February 2021|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622222244/https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2021/february/conorshaughnessysigning/|url-status=dead}}

=Burton Albion=

Shaughnessy left Rochdale during the 2021 summer window and made a permanent move to Burton Albion where he made 43 appearances for The Brewers during the 2021–22 season, including three league goals in his 38 League One outings.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57603851.amp|website= www.bbc.co.uk|title=Conor Shaughnessy: Burton Albion re-sign midfielder after Rochdale exit|date=24 June 2021|access-date=17 October 2022}}

Early in the 2022–23 season, the defender was injured in a defeat to Ipswich Town, following a fifth-minute collision with the Ipswich upright and was out for the remainder of August, all of September and October.{{cite web|url=https://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/match-report-for-burton-albion-vs-ipswich-town-on-16-aug-22/|title=Match Report: Burton Albion 0–1 Ipswich Town|last=Hawkins|first=Ian|website=www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk|date=16 August 2022|access-date=16 October 2022}}

= Portsmouth =

On 14 June 2023, League One side Portsmouth signed Shaughnessy to a two-year contract, with an option of a third year.{{Cite web |title=Pompey Complete Shaughnessy Signing |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/pompey-complete-shaughnessy-signing/ |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=www.portsmouthfc.co.uk |language=en-gb}} On 16 April 2024, Shaughnessy scored an 89th minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Barnsley, a result that saw his side secure the 2023–24 EFL League One title and promotion to the EFL Championship.{{Cite web | title=Dreams Come True For Shaughnessy - News - Portsmouth | url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/dreams-come-true-for-shaughnessy/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417044405/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/dreams-come-true-for-shaughnessy/ | access-date=2025-01-03 | archive-date=2024-04-17}}

Shaughnessy suffered a calf injury early in the 2024–25 season, leading to him being sidelined for all of September and October after only two Championship appearances in August.{{Cite web|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-boss-delivers-crucial-conor-shaughnessy-injury-return-update-amid-defensive-struggles-4855839|title=Portsmouth boss delivers crucial Conor Shaughnessy injury return update amid defensive struggles|last=Cross|first=Jordan|website=Portsmouth.co.uk|publisher=The Portsmouth News|date=6 November 2024|access-date=12 November 2024}}

International career

Shaughnessy has represented Ireland at U15,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/u15-squad-named-for-belgium-double-header|title=U15 squad named for Belgium double-header {{!}} Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie|access-date=2018-12-16}} U16,{{Cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=375&level=ss16|title=Statistics: Ireland Under 16 [Powered by tplSoccerStats]|website=www.soccerscene.ie|access-date=2018-12-16}} U17,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/ireland-u17s-defeated-by-strong-croatian-side|title=Ireland U17s defeated by strong Croatian side {{!}} Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie|access-date=2018-12-16}} U18{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/doolin-names-irish-u18-home-based-squad-for-wales-game|title=Doolin names Irish U18 home-based squad for Wales game {{!}} Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie|access-date=2018-12-16}} and U21{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2017/10/09/europe/uefa-u21-championship/ireland-republic-under-21/israel-under-21/2429811/|title=Republic of Ireland U21 vs. Israel U21 - 9 October 2017 - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|language=en|accessdate=2018-02-20}} level. After his loan move to Hearts he expressed his hopes that he would get a senior international call up similar to fellow Irish under 21 centre back Jimmy Dunne whom he replaced at Tynecastle.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Personal life

Shaughnessy's elder brother Joe is also a professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership side Dundee.{{Cite news|date=2020-07-20|title=Joe Shaughnessy & Isak Thorvaldsson sign for St Mirren|language=en-gb|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53477712|access-date=2020-08-03}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{efn\|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="5"\|Leeds United \|2016–17{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2016\|accessdate=23 July 2020}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2017–18{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2017\|accessdate=23 July 2020}} \|Championship \|9	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	14	0
2018–19{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2018\|accessdate=23 July 2020}} \|Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
2019–20{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2019\|accessdate=23 July 2020}} \|Championship \|0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total !9	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	15	0
Heart of Midlothian (loan) \|2018–19 \|Scottish Premiership \|10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Mansfield Town (loan) \|2019–20 \|League Two \|15	0	1	0	0	0	3{{efn\|name=EFLT\|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}}	0	19	0
Burton Albion (loan) \|2019–20 \|League One \|8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Rochdale \|2020–21{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2020\|accessdate=12 April 2021}} \|League One \|15	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	1
rowspan="3"\|Burton Albion \|2021–22{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2021\|accessdate=16 October 2022}} \|League One \|38	3	2	0	1	0	2{{efn\|name=EFLT}}	0	43	3
2022–23{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2022\|accessdate=16 October 2022}} \|League One \|19	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	1
colspan="2"\|Total !57	4	2	0	1	0	2	0	62	4
rowspan="3"\|Portsmouth \|2023–24{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2023\|access-date=8 January 2024}} \|League One \|45	4	1	0	1	0	2{{efn\|name=EFLT}}	0	49	4
2024–25{{soccerbase season\|106486\|2024\|access-date=10 September 2024}} \|Championship \|6	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1
colspan="2"\|Total !52	5	1	0	1	0	2	0	55	5
colspan="3"\|Career total !164	10	6	0	7	0	7	0	184	10

Honours

Hearts

Scottish Cup runner-up: 2018–19

Portsmouth

EFL League One: 2023–24{{cite news |date=16 April 2024 |title=Portsmouth 3–2 Barnsley: Pompey seal promotion to Championship with dramatic win |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/portsmouth-vs-barnsley/report/484077 |access-date=17 April 2024 |website=Sky Sports}}

Individual

EFL League One Team of the Season: 2023–24{{cite news |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/14/see-who-made-the-efl-team-of-the-season/ |title=See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups |website=EFL |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=14 April 2024}}
PFA Team of the Year: 2023–24 League One{{cite news |url=https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-league-one-team-of-the-year-2024 |title=PFA League One Team of the Year |website=PFA |date=20 August 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024}}