Robbie Benson
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1992)}}
{{for|the American actor|Robby Benson}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Robbie Benson
| image = Dundolk-Zenit (13).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Benson in 2016
| fullname = Robert Benson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|5|7|df=y}}
| birth_place = Athlone, Ireland
| death_date =
| height =
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Derry City
| clubnumber = 13
| years1 = 2008–2010 | clubs1 = Athlone Town | caps1 = 38 | goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2011–2015 | clubs2 = UCD | caps2 = 127 | goals2 = 29
| years3 = 2016–2019 | clubs3 = Dundalk | caps3 = 96 | goals3 = 21
| years4 = 2020–2021 | clubs4 = St Patrick's Athletic | caps4 = 40 | goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2022–2024 | clubs5 = Dundalk | caps5 = 73 | goals5 = 8
| years6 = 2025– | clubs6 = Derry City | caps6 = 7 | goals6 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2007–2008 | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U16
| nationalcaps1 = 3{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=59&level=ss16|title=Player's profile on SoccerScene.ie|work=SoccerScene.ie|accessdate=28 August 2016}} | nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps2 = 3{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=145&level=ss17|title=Player's profile on SoccerScene.ie|work=SoccerScene.ie|accessdate=28 August 2016}} | nationalgoals2 = 1
| club-update = 22:22, 3 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 00:42, 6 August 2016 (UTC)
}}
Robert Benson (born 7 May 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Derry City in the League of Ireland Premier Division.Soccerbase Player Profile|http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=58539 He has also played for his hometown club, Athlone Town, UCD, St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk. Benson has made 10 appearances in European competition throughout his career and was part of the Dundalk team that became the first Irish side ever to reach the play-off stage of the UEFA Champions League in August 2016.{{cite news |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2017/clubs/player=250083406/profile/index.html|title=Robbie Benson – UEFA player profile |work=UEFA|date=30 August 2016 |accessdate=30 August 2016}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Benson scored twice for the club on their European run, including a volleyed goal against Legia Warsaw in the play-off round that received worldwide media coverage.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/liam-mackey/benson-racks-up-a-stylish-hat-trick-for-the-remarkable-robbies-418095.html|title=LIAM MACKEY: Benson racks up a stylish hat-trick for the remarkable Robbies |work=Irish Examiner|date=27 August 2016 |accessdate=30 August 2016}}
Early life
Benson was born in Athlone and attended Marist College in the town between 2004 and 2010 where he studied for his Leaving Certificate.{{cite news |url=http://www.faischools.ie/national/news/2011/feb/sun/robbie-benson-awarded-fai-international-schools%E2%80%99-accolade|title=Robbie Benson awarded FAI International Schools' accolade |work=FAI Schools|date=8 February 2011 |accessdate=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927085333/http://www.faischools.ie/national/news/2011/feb/sun/robbie-benson-awarded-fai-international-schools%E2%80%99-accolade|archive-date=27 September 2016|url-status=dead}} He played underage football for local club St. Francis.{{cite news |url=http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2016/07/21/4123713-athlones-robbie-stars-in-12m-champions-league-success-for-dundalk--/|title=Athlone's Robbie stars in €1.2m Champions League success for Dundalk |work=Westmeath Independent|date=21 July 2016 |accessdate=30 August 2016}}
Professional career
=Athlone Town=
Benson began his career with Athlone Town, making his debut against Waterford United in the Regional Sports Centre on 3 October 2008.{{cite news |url=http://extratime.ie/player/1234762/robbie_benson/|title=Robbie Benson - Extratime.ie player profile |work=Extratime.ie|date=13 September 2016 |accessdate=13 September 2016}} He spent the following two seasons playing in the First Division with the club. After achieving 600 points in his Leaving Certificate examinations, Benson gained a scholarship with UCD in September 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.the42.ie/athlone-town-robbie-benson-tom-ohalloran-1478664-May2014/|title=Returning to Athlone as men – but UCD's skipper was a plane journey away from another path |work=the42.ie|date=23 May 2014 |accessdate=30 August 2016}} This allowed him to combine his academic studies with football, and he majored in chemistry and maths before earning a master's degree in actuarial science.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/i-wont-get-the-highs-of-winning-trophies-sitting-behind-a-desk-robbie-benson-has-put-career-on-hold-to-chase-dundalk-dream-37705336.html|title='I won't get the highs of winning trophies sitting behind a desk' - Robbie Benson has put career on hold to chase Dundalk dream|website=independent}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0231-0e94fe38b522-696dcab20d16-1000--o-donnell-and-benson-talk-dundalk/|title=O'Donnell and Benson talk Dundalk|work=UEFA|access-date=9 September 2016}}
=UCD=
Benson was unable to play for UCD's league side during the closing stages of the 2010 season due to scholarship regulations, however he joined up with the senior squad for the 2011 season, making 20 league appearances in the Premier Division and scoring five goals. Benson became a mainstay of the side during the 2012 season, playing a part in 31 league games for the club and scoring three goals in the process, as UCD finished ninth and avoided relegation.
Benson remained with UCD for the 2013 season, and scored a career-high nine league goals in 25 appearances during the campaign, as UCD once more finished ninth. In 2014, Benson was made the captain of the team and played in all 35 league games for the club, scoring three goals. However, UCD were relegated at the end of the season after losing a play-off to Galway United. Despite this, Benson chose to stay with UCD in 2015 as he wished to complete his studies before later making the move to full-time football. He made his European debut in July 2015, captaining his side to a 1–0 win over Dudelange in the Europa League first qualifying round. He went on to make a further 3 appearances in the Europa League as UCD eliminated Dudelange and met Slovan Bratislava in the following round. Throughout the 2015 campaign, Benson played in eighteen league games and scored seven goals as UCD ultimately lost out on promotion to the Premier Division in a play-off against Finn Harps.
=Dundalk=
Despite interest from St. Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, Benson signed for Dundalk in December 2015, citing the opportunity to work under boss Stephen Kenny as being one of the deciding factors.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/mceleney-benson-dundalk-2490897-Dec2015/|title=Dundalk make two big signings as they bid to replace Richie Towell|work=the42.ie|accessdate=26 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/dundalk-land-mceleney-and-benson-34271994.html|title=Dundalk land McEleney and Benson|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=26 August 2016}} He scored the third goal in the 3–0 home defeat of BATE Borisov to help Dundalk become the first Irish side to reach the play-off round of the Champions League,{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/champions-league/were-not-content-with-the-europa-league-dundalks-robbie-benson-34934479.html|title='We're not content with the Europa League' - Dundalk's Robbie Benson|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=9 September 2016}} and followed this up with a volleyed goal against Legia Warsaw in the play-off round that received widespread exposure in international media and on social media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/watch-robbie-benson-dundalk-goal-legia-343881|title=Watch: Dundalk Pull Away Goal Back With An Absolute Belter From Robbie Benson|first=Mikey|last=Traynor|website=Balls.ie}} Benson considers this to be the greatest goal of his career to date. Dundalk went on to qualify for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time and Robbie scored for Dundalk in the home game against FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, but lost 2-1.{{cite web|url=http://www.98fm.com/-Theyre-The-Moments-You-Have-To-Be-Ready-For--Robbie-Benson|title=Champions League Goal "Best I've Scored By A Mile" – Dundalk's Robbie Benson|work=98fm.ie|accessdate=9 September 2016}} He was rewarded for his Champions League displays by being named Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month for August 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.the42.ie/robbie-benson-dundalk-potm-swai-interview-2970866-Sep2016/|title=600 points in the Leaving Cert, a master's degree and two goals in this season's Champions League|work=the42.ie|accessdate=9 September 2016}} After considering offers from Scotland and England, Benson signed a new one-year contract with Dundalk in November 2017.
=St Patrick's Athletic=
Benson signed for St Patrick's Athletic on 13 November 2019, signing for his former teammate Stephen O'Donnell, who was less than 3 months into his first managerial role.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=8586|title=Robbie Benson Joins The Saints|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} Benson scored on his first start for the club in a 6–0 win over Fermoy in a friendly.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=8619|title=Pre-Season Result: Fermoy 0 - Saints 6|website=www.stpatsfc.com}} On 28 November 2021 Benson scored the winning penalty in the 2021 FAI Cup Final penalty shootout, beating rivals Bohemians 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time in front of a record FAI Cup Final crowd of 37,126 at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/1128/1263634-benson-spot-on-as-saints-beat-bohs-to-lift-the-fai-cup/|title=Benson spot on as Saints beat Bohs to lift the FAI Cup|first=Ed|last=Leahy|date=28 November 2021|via=www.rte.ie}}
=Return to Dundalk=
On 17 December 2021, it was announced that Benson had followed head coach Stephen O'Donnell back to Dundalk for a second spell at the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dundalkfc.com/benson-returns-to-dundalk-fc/|title=BENSON RETURNS TO DUNDALK FC|first=Gavin|last=McLaughlin|date=17 December 2021|website=Dundalk Football Club}}
=Derry City=
On 20 January 2025, Benson signed a one year contract with League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City.https://www.derrycityfc.net/2025/01/benson-to-light-up-brandywell/
International career
Benson was a key member of the Irish Schools side which won the Centenary Shield in 2010 including scoring the winner against England which sealed the trophy for Ireland. He was named the FAI's Under 18 International Schools Player of the Year in 2009–10. He has also represented Ireland at under-16 and under-17 levels.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 18 April 2025}}{{soccerway|robbie-benson/76075|accessdate=23 August 2021}}
| 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"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Athlone Town
|2008 |rowspan="3"|LOI First Division |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2009
|9 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 3 | |||
| 2010
|12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!22 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||
| rowspan="6"|UCD
|2011 |rowspan="4"|LOI Premier Division |20 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 26 | 5 | ||
| 2012
|31 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 1 | 38 | 4 | ||
| 2013
|25 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 27 | 9 | ||
| 2014
|33 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 34 | 5 | ||
| 2015
|LOI First Division |18 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearances in the League of Ireland promotion/relegation play-off}} | 0 | 25 | 7 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!127 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 150 | 30 | |
| rowspan="5"|Dundalk
|2016 |rowspan="4"|LOI Premier Division |24 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11{{efn|6 appearances 2 goals in UEFA Champions League, 5 appearances 1 goal in UEFA Europa League}} | 3 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 42 | 5 | |
| 2017
|27 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=statsUCL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in President's Cup|name=statsPRC}} | 0 | 37 | 12 | |
| 2018
|32 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in President's Cup|name=statsPRC}} | |0 | 41 | 9 | |
| 2019
|13 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=statsUCL}} | 0 | 2{{efn|1 appearance in President's Cup, 1 appearance & 1 goal in Champions Cup}} | 1 | 22 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!96 | 21 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 142 | 28 | |
| rowspan="3"|St Patrick's Athletic
|2020 |rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division |16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 17 | 2 | ||||
| 2021
|24 | 5 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 26 | 5 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!40 | 7 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 43 | 7 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Dundalk
|2022 |rowspan="3"|LOI Premier Division |29 | 3 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 4 | ||||
| 2023
|14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2024
|30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup|name=statsLSC}} | 0 | 32 | 4 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!73 | 8 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 79 | 9 | ||
| Derry City
|2025 |LOI Premier Division |7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!365 | 71 | 32 | 3 | 12 | 1 | 24 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 446 | 80 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
DUNDALK
PREMIER DIVISION 2016 2018 2019
FAI CUP 2018
LEAGUE CUP 2017 2019
ST PATS
FAI CUP 2021
=Individual=
- League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month: August 2016{{cite news |url=http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3909/airtricity-premier-division/2016/09/08/27311462/dundalk-midfielder-robbie-benson-crowned-player-of-the-month|title=Dundalk midfielder Robbie Benson crowned Player of the Month |work=Goal.com|date=8 September 2016 |accessdate=25 September 2016}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://inform.fai.ie/statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=126732 FAI Stats Portal Profile]
{{Derry City F.C. squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|titlestyle=background: gold
|list1=
{{2015 PFAI League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{2018 PFAI League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Robbie}}
Category:Alumni of University College Dublin
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Athlone Town A.F.C. players
Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:People educated at Marist College, Athlone
Category:Association footballers from Athlone
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers