Rene Gilmartin
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rene Gilmartin
| image = Rene Gilmartin of Bristol City.jpg
| caption = Gilmartin after signing for Bristol City in 2019
| fullname = Rene Patrick Gilmartin{{cite web|title=Player Details: Rene Gilmartin|url=http://www.enfa.co.uk/|work=The English National Football Archive|publisher=SoccerData|access-date=11 January 2013}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|5|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| height = {{height|m=1.96}}{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/rene-gilmartin/ |title=Rene Gilmartin |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=25 April 2020}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Ipswich Town (goalkeeping coach)
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Malahide United F.C.
St. Kevin's Boys
| years1 = 2005–2010 | clubs1 = Walsall | caps1 = 35 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2007 | clubs2 = → Worcester City (loan) | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2007 | clubs3 = → Hednesford Town (loan) | caps3 = 1 | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2010–2012 | clubs4 = Watford | caps4 = 2 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011–2012 | clubs5 = → Yeovil Town (loan) | caps5 = 8 | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2012 | clubs6 = → Crawley Town (loan) | caps6 = 6 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2012–2013 | clubs7 = Plymouth Argyle | caps7 = 13 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2013–2014 | clubs8 = St Patrick's Athletic | caps8 = 1 | goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2014–2017 | clubs9 = Watford | caps9 = 0 | goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2017–2019 | clubs10 = Colchester United | caps10 = 22 | goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2019–2021 | clubs11 = Bristol City | caps11 = 0 | goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 87
| totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2006 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps1 = | nationalgoals1 =
| nationalyears2 = 2006–2007 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps2 = 1 | nationalgoals2 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2019–2024 | managerclubs1 = Republic of Ireland U21 (goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears2 = 2021 | managerclubs2 = Swindon Town (assistant manager)
| manageryears3 = 2021– | managerclubs3 = Ipswich Town (goalkeeping coach)
| manageryears4 = 2024 | managerclubs4 = Republic of Ireland (interim goalkeeping coach)
}}
Rene Patrick Gilmartin (born 31 May 1987) is an Irish professional football coach and former professional footballer who is currently the goalkeeping coach at Ipswich Town.
He has previously appeared in the Football League for Walsall, Watford, Yeovil Town, Crawley Town, Plymouth Argyle and Colchester United, and has also played for League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic. Gilmartin has played international football for the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels.
Career
Having previous played for Malahide United F.C. and St. Kevin's Boys,{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5028&catid=80:archive&Itemid=355|title=Exciting UEFA Championship qualifier in prospect in Kilkenny|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=9 March 2011|date=18 May 2006}} Gilmartin joined English League One side Walsall in the summer of 2005.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin earns contract reward|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/4244696.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2005|access-date=24 June 2013}} He made his Walsall debut on 17 September 2005 in a 3–2 home defeat to Chesterfield, and played two further first-team matches that season.{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=41949|title=Rene Gilmartin|publisher=Centurycomm|work=Soccerbase|access-date=9 March 2011}} He also made his international debut for Republic of Ireland under-19s in February 2006. At the end of the 2005–06 season, Gilmartin's contract was extended, with Walsall taking up one-year option.{{cite news|title=Four depart Bescot|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11757/2375907/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 May 2006|access-date=24 June 2013}} After signing, Gilmartin said he expected to fight for the first choice goalkeeper ahead of a new season.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin ready to push for place|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/5076892.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2006|access-date=24 June 2013}}
Gilmartin did not feature for Walsall over the next two seasons, but played for Republic of Ireland under-21s in 2007, and completed his UEFA B coaching licence in April 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/20100329/45-seconds-with-rene-gilmartin_2249035_2006478|title=45 seconds with Rene Gilmartin|publisher=The Football League|access-date=1 July 2010|date=29 March 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100401120826/http://www.football-league.co.uk/features/20100329/45-seconds-with-rene-gilmartin_2249035_2006478| archive-date=1 April 2010 | url-status= live}} During 2007, he joined Worcester City and Hednesford Town, in order to gain first team experience.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin loaned to Pitmen|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/2609858/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=14 July 2009|access-date=24 June 2013}} In May 2008 Gilmartin signed another new 12-month contract.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin pens new Walsall deal|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/2609858/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=26 May 2008|access-date=24 June 2013}} During the 2008–09 season, in which he made 12 appearances, Gilmartin said he would consider leaving the club if first choice goalkeeper Clayton Ince stayed on.{{cite news|title=Keeper considers Saddlers future|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/4940305/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 February 2009|access-date=24 June 2013}} Ultimately, he signed another new 12-month contract at the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Saddlers secure quintet|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/5370050/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 June 2009|access-date=24 June 2013}}
In the 2009–10 season, Gilmartin replaced Ince as a first choice goalkeeper. He credited the club's goalkeeping coach, Mick Kearns, for helping him improve as a player.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin praises keeper coach|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/5629571/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=15 October 2009|access-date=24 June 2013}} In October 2009, he suffered a hamstring injury that would keep him out for three to four weeks.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin injury blow for Walsall|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/8318377.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 October 2009|access-date=24 June 2013}} Despite the injury, Gilmartin played 24 times in 2009–10 season.
Gilmartin was offered a new contract by Walsall on 10 May 2010, but joined Championship side Watford on 1 July 2010.{{cite web|title= Walsall release seven including Dwayne Mattis |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2010|access-date=9 March 2011|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/walsall/8672808.stm}}{{cite web|title= Watford's first transfer is not Carlisle's Tom Aldred but Walsall keeper Rene Gilmartin |work=Watford Observer |date=1 July 2010|access-date=9 March 2011|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/8250007.Watford_sign_Walsall_keeper/}} He made his debut in a League Cup first round tie away to Aldershot Town, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 Watford win. Gilmartin struggled to displace Scott Loach as Watford's goalkeeper during the 2010–11 season, but did play in all four of the club's cup games. He also won the club's community ambassador prize at the end of season awards.{{cite news|title=Will Buckley one of the winners at Watford Awards Dinner|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/9002900.Buckley_among_the_winners_at_Watford_Awards_Dinner/|access-date=6 October 2015|newspaper=Watford Observer|date=2 May 2011}}
Gilmartin displaced Loach to make his full league debut on 27 September 2011, in a 2–1 home victory over Millwall. He started the following game, a 3–0 defeat at Southampton, before Loach returned to the side. On 23 November 2011, Gilmartin was sent out on loan to League One side Yeovil Town until 3 January 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.ytfc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10673~2525372,00.html |title=Rene signs in at Huish Park |publisher=Yeovil Town F.C. |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=23 November 2011 |archive-date=15 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215221732/https://www.ytfc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10673~2525372,00.html |url-status=dead }} He returned to Watford on 19 January 2012, having made eight appearances for Yeovil.{{cite news|title=Gilmartin returns to Watford|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/7441772/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=19 January 2012|access-date=24 June 2013}} In February 2012 he joined League Two side Crawley Town on loan as back up to Michael Kuipers, following an injury to Scott Shearer.{{cite news|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2613056,00.html|title=Official: Gilmartin Joins Crawley|publisher=Watford Football Club|date=16 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720223252/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~2613056,00.html|archive-date=20 July 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=1 May 2012}} On 3 May 2012, Gilmartin was one of four players to be released by Watford after their contracts expired.Smith, Frank (3 May 2012). [http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9686206.Watford_confirm_release_of_quintet/ "Watford confirm release of quintet"]. Watford Observer. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
Gilmartin signed a two-year contract with League Two side Plymouth Argyle in July 2012,{{cite web|title=Plymouth sign former Watford goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18704269|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 June 2013|date=4 July 2012}} and made 16 appearances in all competitions.{{cite web|title=Rene Gilmartin|url=http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk/gosdb-players2.asp?pid=1045&scp=1,2,3,4,5,6,7|publisher=Greens on Screen|access-date=24 June 2013}} He was transfer-listed by manager John Sheridan at the end of the 2012–13 season,{{cite news|last=Errington|first=Chris|title=John Sheridan announces retained list at Plymouth Argyle|url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/John-Sheridan-announces-retained-list-Plymouth/story-18847161-detail/story.html|access-date=24 June 2013|newspaper=The Herald|date=30 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503011110/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/John-Sheridan-announces-retained-list-Plymouth/story-18847161-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 May 2013}} and left the club by mutual consent in June 2013.{{cite news|title=Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin leaves Plymouth Argyle|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Goalkeeper-Rene-Gilmartin-leaves-Plymouth-Argyle/story-19376232-detail/story.html|access-date=24 June 2013|newspaper=The Herald|date=24 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924074807/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Goalkeeper-Rene-Gilmartin-leaves-Plymouth-Argyle/story-19376232-detail/story.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}
Gilmartin returned to Dublin in July, having signed an 18-month contract with League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic.{{cite web|title=Gilmartin signs for Pats|url=http://stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=5644#.UegS_o1wrnh|publisher=St Patrick's Athletic F.C|access-date=18 July 2013|date=18 July 2013}}{{cite news|title=Former Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin returns to his Irish homeland|url=http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-goalkeeper-Rene-Gilmartin-returns/story-19538501-detail/story.html|access-date=18 July 2013|newspaper=The Herald|date=18 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721093158/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Plymouth-Argyle-goalkeeper-Rene-Gilmartin-returns/story-19538501-detail/story.html|archive-date=21 July 2013|url-status=dead}} He made his Pats' debut later that month in a Dublin derby at Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland Cup.{{cite web|title=Rene on joining Saints|url=http://stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=5649#.UlwHpFBwrng|publisher=St Patrick's Athletic F.C|access-date=14 October 2013|date=25 July 2013}} He made his league debut the following season, on 2 June 2014 against Drogheda United, when he came on as a half-time substitute for the injured Brendan Clarke. He continued Clarke's work and kept a clean sheet as Pats won 6–0.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/20351/2/|title=Extratime.ie – Live Updates – 2014 League of Ireland Premier Division – St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Drogheda United|website=extratime.ie}} In total, he made 10 appearances for the Saints, with nine coming in cup competitions.
Gilmartin returned to English football by re-signing with Watford on a one-year deal on 25 August 2014 as a back-up to Heurelho Gomes and Jonathan Bond, two years after he first left the club. He signed a new two-year contract in June 2015 as the club approached their first season back in the Premier League.{{cite news|title=Goalkeeper signs two-year deal with the Hornets|url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/150611-watford-fc-gilmartin-new-contract-2489791.aspx|access-date=6 October 2015|work=Watford FC|date=11 June 2015}} Alongside his playing career with Watford he commentates on the club's away games for BBC Three Counties Radio, is taking further coaching qualifications and has taken training sessions for the club's academy. He left Watford at the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web|title=Confirmed Retained List|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/first-team/confirmed-retained-list|website=Watford FC|access-date=11 June 2017|archive-date=8 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608182506/https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/first-team/confirmed-retained-list|url-status=dead}}
Following his release from Watford, Gilmartin signed for League Two club Colchester United as a player-coach.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40519109 |title=Rene Gilmartin: Colchester United sign goalkeeper as Dean Brill leaves |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=7 July 2017 }} He made his debut for Colchester in the EFL Trophy against Reading U23 on 29 August.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/colchester-vs-reading-u21/teams/380693 |title=Colchester United 2 Reading U21 2 |date=29 August 2017 |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=29 August 2017 }}
Gilmartin rejected the offer of a new contract in July 2019 and signed for Championship club Bristol City as a player with some Junior Coaching responsibilities.
Coaching career
Gilmartin began his coaching career whilst still a player at Bristol City, coaching the club's under-23 side. On 7 November 2019, it was announced that Gilmartin had taken up a role as goalkeeping coach for the Republic of Ireland under-21s under their new manager Stephen Kenny.{{cite news | url=https://www.newstalk.com/sport/rene-gilmartin-coach-under-21s-922702 | title=Rene Gilmartin takes up goalkeeping coach post with under-21s | date=7 November 2019 | first=Stephen | last=Doyle | publisher=Newstalk | access-date=12 May 2020 }} On 1 June 2021, Gilmartin was appointed assistant manager of Swindon Town.{{cite news | url=https://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/2021/june/rene-gilmartin-appointed-assistant-manager-to-john-mcgreal/ | title=RENE GILMARTIN APPOINTED ASSISTANT MANAGER TO JOHN MCGREAL | date=1 June 2021 | publisher=Swindon Town F.C. | access-date=1 June 2021 }}
When John McGreal was named interim manager of Ipswich Town in December 2021, Gilmartin joined his coaching team as an interim coach, having previously been McGreal's assistant manager at Swindon.{{cite news | url= https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2021/december/john-mcgreal-named-interim-manager/ | title=John McGreal Named Interim Manager | date=6 December 2021 | publisher=Ipswich Town F.C. | access-date=20 December 2021 }} Later that month, following the appointment of Kieran McKenna, Gilmartin was named first-team goalkeeping coach at Ipswich.{{cite news | url= https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/41783/gilmartin-keeper-coach-with-one-more-set-to-join-backroom-team | title= Gilmartin Keeper-Coach With One More Set to Join Backroom Team | date=20 December 2021 | publisher=TWTD | access-date=20 December 2021 }}
Career statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=6|Walsall
|2005–06{{soccerbase season|41949|2005|accessdate=10 October 2017}} |2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2006–07{{soccerbase season|41949|2006|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007–08{{soccerbase season|41949|2007|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2008–09{{soccerbase season|41949|2008|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|League One |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2009–10{{soccerbase season|41949|2009|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|League One |22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| rowspan=3|Watford
|2010–11{{soccerbase season|41949|2010|accessdate=10 October 2017}} |0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12{{soccerbase season|41949|2011|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|Championship |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||
| Yeovil Town (loan)
|League One |8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Crawley Town (loan)
|League Two |6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | |||
| Plymouth Argyle
|2012–13{{soccerbase season|41949|2012|accessdate=10 October 2017}} |League One |13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=FLT}} | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| rowspan=3|St Patrick's Athletic
|2013{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/rene-gilmartin/51181/ |title=Republic of Ireland – R. Gilmartin – Profile |publisher=Soccerway |access-date=10 October 2017 }} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup}} | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2014
|Premier Division |1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|Three appearances in Setanta Sports Cup, one appearance in Leinster Senior Cup}} | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| rowspan=4|Watford
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|41949|2014|accessdate=10 October 2017}} |Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16{{soccerbase season|41949|2015|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|41949|2016|accessdate=10 October 2017}}
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| rowspan=3|Colchester United
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|41949|2017|accessdate=10 October 2017}} |League Two |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|41949|2018|accessdate=27 July 2018}}
|League Two |22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| rowspan=3|Bristol City
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|41949|2019|accessdate=19 August 2019}} |Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|41949|2020|accessdate=20 December 2021}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan=3|Career total
!87 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 113 | 0 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Personal life
Gilmartin married his wife Emma Nugent in the summer of 2015.{{cite news|title=The strange life of the footballer who never plays|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4575946.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007030021/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4575946.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 October 2015|access-date=6 October 2015|newspaper=The Times|date=5 October 2015}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilmartin, Rene}}
Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Worcester City F.C. players
Category:Hednesford Town F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:Bristol City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Swindon Town F.C. non-playing staff