Kevin O'Connor (footballer, born 1985)
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{for|the Brentford player|Kevin O'Connor (footballer, born 1982)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Kevin O'Connor
|image = Kevin O'Connor (footballer, born 1985) (cropped).jpg
|caption = O'Connor with Longford Town in 2014
|fullname = Kevin O'Connor
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|10|19|df=y}}
|birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
|height =
|position = Midfielder
|youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers
|years1 = 2004–2008 | clubs1 = Wolverhampton Wanderers | caps1 = 3 | goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2005–2007 | clubs2 = → Stockport County (loan) | caps2 = 7 | goals2 = 1
|years3 = 2010 | clubs3 = Telford United | caps3 = | goals3 =
|years4 = 2010–2012 | clubs4 = Worcester City | caps4 = 77 | goals4 = 3
|years5 = 2012–2013 | clubs5 = Bray Wanderers | caps5 = 33 | goals5 = 1
|years6 = 2014–2017 | clubs6 = Longford Town | caps6 = 103 | goals6 = 9
|nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = 16:56, 8 October 2017 (UTC)
|ntupdate =
}}
Kevin O'Connor (born 19 October 1985) is a retired Irish footballer.
Career
=Football League=
O'Connor began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Youth Academy and became a regular in the reserve team. He was never considered for the first team under Glenn Hoddle, and he instead joined League Two Stockport County on loan in March 2006, making seven appearances and scoring one goal. His league debut came on 8 April when he appeared as a substitute in a 3–3 draw at Cheltenham Town.
The appointment of Mick McCarthy as manager saw him promoted to the first team, making his senior debut for Wolves on 5 August 2006 at Plymouth Argyle, where he created Wolves' equaliser when his shot was deflected in to earn a 1–1 draw (later credited as an own-goal by Mathias Kouo-Doumbé). However, after playing in the opening three games, his season was ended by a long-term hamstring injury.
He was approaching fitness by the start of the 2007–08 season and given another one-year contract, as Wolves lined up a loan move to Gillingham for him; which he later rejected after becoming a father due to the long travelling distance. However, his hamstring problems again soon flared up and he spent the season again on the sidelines after having surgery in November 2007.
In May 2008 it was announced he would not be re-signed but would remain at the club continuing his rehabilitation in the short-term.{{cite news| title =Wolves have end-of-term clear-out |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7392077.stm |publisher= BBC Sport | date = 2008-05-09}} He went on trial to League Two Port Vale.{{cite news|title=New face at Vale Park |url=http://www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1389577,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805134600/http://www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1389577,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-05 |publisher=Port Vale official site |date=2008-09-11 }}
=Move into non-League=
On 18 January 2010, O'Connor signed for Conference North team AFC Telford United, after having trained them for three weeks to regain fitness.
In June 2010, it was announced that O'Connor had signed for Conference North club Worcester City{{cite news| title =Patience proves to be City virtue |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/wcfc/8208032.Patience_proves_to_be_City_virtue/ |publisher= Worcester News | date= 8 June 2010}} and in 2011 signed a new contract with the club.{{cite news
| title = Worcester City retain captain Ryan Clarke| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9475812.stm| work = BBC Sport| date = 5 May 2011}}
=Return to Ireland=
In June 2012 O'Connor returned to his homeland when he signed for Bray Wanderers where he linked up with his brother Danny O'Connor already a key member of Pat Devlin and Keith Long's Wanderers squad.{{cite news| title =City skipper going back home| url =http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/9752180.City_skipper_going_back_home/| work = Worcester News| date = 10 June 2012}}
In January 2014, he signed for League of Ireland side Longford Town. He played a key role in helping 'De Town' lift the 2014 First Division title. O'Connor played for a further 3 seasons with Longford before leaving at the end of 2017.
International career
O'Connor has been recognised by his country, being selected for Republic of Ireland Under-18, Under-20 and Under-21 squads.
Personal life
He has two footballer brothers: James, who played for Orlando City until named the head coach for Louisville City FC; whilst Danny was his teammate at Bray.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oconnor, Kevin}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Bray Wanderers F.C. players
Category:AFC Telford United players
Category:Stockport County F.C. players
Category:Worcester City F.C. players
Category:Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Men's association football midfielders