Seán Kavanagh

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kavanagh started his youth career at Belvedere before joining Fulham in 2011. While making his progress at the club's academy, Kavanagh struggled with injuries, but managed to regain his fitness.

After progressing the club's academy for the past three years, Kavanagh made his first team debut for Fulham in a 1–0 home loss on 20 August 2014 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28767650|title=Fulham 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 August 2014|accessdate=20 August 2014}} After the match, Kavanagh told the club's website that his debut for Fulham was a proud moment.{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/21/kavanagh-post-wolves|title=Bittersweet For Kavanagh|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=21 August 2014|accessdate=14 June 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915235200/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/21/kavanagh-post-wolves|archivedate=15 September 2015|url-status=live}}

Kavanagh scored his first goal for the club in the 1–0 win over Norwich City.{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313903/report|title=Sean Kavanagh earns Fulham a 1–0 win over Norwich City|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 October 2014}} However, Kavanagh's season was later interrupted when he suffered injuries twice during the season: once with a thigh injury in November{{cite news|title=Fulham star major doubt for Huddersfield clash|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-star-major-doubt-huddersfield-8069414|publisher=Get West London|date=7 November 2014|accessdate=14 June 2016}} and another with a knee injury in January.{{cite news|title=Fulham duo set to miss Reading clash|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-duo-set-miss-reading-8461144|publisher=Get West London|date=16 January 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}} Despite this, Kavanagh played a role when he provided assist for Ross McCormack{{cite news|title=Fulham 2 Wigan 2: Gary Caldwell secures first point as Latics boss|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-wigan/report/314263|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 April 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}} and then provided another assist for Matt Smith, in a 1–0 win over Blackpool.{{cite news|title=Matt Smith earns Fulham crucial 1–0 win at Blackpool|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/blackpool-vs-fulham/314284|publisher=Sky Sports|date=18 April 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

After a handful of first team appearances, he signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2018.{{cite news|title=Sean Kavanagh: Fulham midfielder signs new contract|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30897909|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 January 2015|accessdate=6 April 2018}} Though playing in midfield under the management of Kit Symons, Kavanagh made nineteen appearances and scoring once for the 2014–15 season.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

In the 2015–16 season, Kavanagh struggled to be in the first team, having spent most of the time being on the substitute bench and was limited even further following the arrivals of James Husband and Luke Garbutt.{{cite news|title=Fulham defender's loan move on hold until new boss in place|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-defenders-loan-move-hold-10439297|publisher=Get West London|date=13 November 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}} On 21 November 2015, Kavanagh made his first appearance of the season, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–1 draw against MK Dons.{{cite news|title=MK Dons 1–1 Fulham: Managerless Fulham draw with Dons|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/mk-dons-vs-fulham/339730|publisher=Sky Sports|date=21 November 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}} He made another appearance in the next game against Preston North End.{{cite news|title=Fulham 1–1 Preston: Ross McCormack earns point for Cottagers|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/fulham-vs-preston/339740|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 November 2015|accessdate=14 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35392070|title=Sean Kavanagh: Mansfield sign Fulham defender on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 January 2016|accessdate=23 January 2016}} Kavanagh went on to make seven appearances for the club before returning to his parent club in May 2016.{{cite news|title=Stags let loanee Kavanagh leave early|url=http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/stags-let-loanee-kavanagh-leave-early-1-7892161|publisher=Mansfield and Ashfield Chad|date=4 May 2016|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

In the 2016–17 season, Kavanagh featured twice for Fulham, both coming from the EFL Cup.{{cite news|title=Leyton Orient 2-3 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949840|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 August 2016|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite news|title=Fulham 2-1 Middlesbrough (aet)|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37103137|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2016|accessdate=6 April 2018}} After being told by the club that he would be loaned out, he joined League Two side Hartlepool United until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Fulham boss opens up on loans for fringe players|url=https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-boss-opens-up-loans-12063363|publisher=Get West London|date=24 October 2016|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/january/05/kavanagh-departs-on-loan|title=Kavanagh Departs On Loan|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=5 January 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406200047/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/january/05/kavanagh-departs-on-loan|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} He made his Hartlepool United debut, where he started the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Grimsby Town on 7 January 2017.{{cite news|title=Hartlepool United 0 - 1 Grimsby Town|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38475069|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 January 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}} Kavanagh then quickly established himself in the starting eleven, playing in the left-back position.{{cite news|title=Impressive Sean Kavanagh is only just getting started at Hartlepool - Liam Donnelly|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/impressive-sean-kavanagh-is-only-just-getting-started-at-hartlepool-liam-donnelly-1-8350761|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=25 January 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite news|title=Hartlepool team news: New boy Kavanagh handed Pools debut|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/hartlepool-team-news-new-boy-kavanagh-handed-pools-debut-1-8322566|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=7 January 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}} However, he suffered injuries that kept him out on two occasions.{{cite news|title=Colchester-Hartlepool United: Sean Kavanagh struggling, updates on Billy Paynter/ Carl Magnay|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/colchester-hartlepool-united-sean-kavanagh-struggling-updates-on-billy-paynter-carl-magnay-1-8405811|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=23 February 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite news|title=Hartlepool United youngsters have stepped up to the plate – Dave Jones|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/hartlepool-united-youngsters-have-stepped-up-to-the-plate-dave-jones-1-8432203|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=11 March 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}} As a result, his loan spell at Hartlepool United ended on 7 April 2017.{{cite news|title=Injury puts on end to Sean Kavanagh's stint at Hartlepool United|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/injury-puts-on-end-to-sean-kavanagh-s-stint-at-hartlepool-united-1-8481020|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=8 April 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}} His last appearance for Hartlepool United came on 4 March 2017, where he played 39 minutes, in a 3–1 win over Exeter City.{{cite news|title=Hartlepool United 3 Exeter City 1: Alessandra at double in stunning Pools comeback|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/hartlepool-united-3-exeter-city-1-alessandra-at-double-in-stunning-pools-comeback-1-8421423|publisher=Hartlepool Mail|date=4 March 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018}}

After appearing once for Fulham in the 2017–18 season,{{cite web|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/pl2/2017_2018/cup/away/portsmouth|title=Portsmouth 3–3 (2–4 p) Fulham U23s|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=16 August 2017|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406205153/https://www.fulhamfc.com/pl2/2017_2018/cup/away/portsmouth|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} Kavanagh returned to Republic of Ireland, where he joined Shamrock Rovers for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|title=Fulham's Sean Kavanagh joins League of Ireland side Shamrock Rovers and former Craven Cottage hero|url=https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-kavanagh-shamrock-rovers-duff-14317433|publisher=Get West London|date=22 February 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/february/22/sean-kavanagh-departs|title=Kavanagh Departs|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=22 February 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406200045/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/february/22/sean-kavanagh-departs|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} Kavanagh had been set to join Derry City but joined Shamrock Rovers at the last moment.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/shamrock-rovers-pip-derry-to-sign-fulham-defender-se%C3%A1n-kavanagh-1.3399296|title = Shamrock Rovers pip Derry to sign Fulham defender Seán Kavanagh| newspaper=The Irish Times }} He also said that he took 'unbelievable' pay cut to join the club, saying: "the football here will suit me rather than trying to hang around the lower leagues in England."{{cite news|title=Shamrock Rovers left back Sean Kavanagh took 'unbelievable' pay cut to swap Fulham for Hoops|url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shamrock-rovers-left-back-sean-12091008|publisher=The Irish Mirror|date=25 February 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}}

Kavanagh made his Shamrock Rovers' debut, starting the whole game, in a 0–0 draw against Dundalk in the opening game of the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division season.{{cite news|title=League Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 - 0 Dundalk|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20443/league-report-shamrock-rovers-0---0-dundalk/|publisher=Extratime.ie|date=23 February 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}} In the next two matches, he scored two goals in two matches, which both matches were a win against Bray Wanderers and Derry City.{{cite news|title=Ruthless Rovers show no mercy to stunned Seagulls|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/ruthless-rovers-show-no-mercy-to-stunned-seagulls-467701.html|publisher=The Irisj Examiner|date=27 February 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}}
{{cite news|title=League Report: Shamrock Rovers 6 - 1 Derry City|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20513/league-report-shamrock-rovers-6---1-derry-city/|publisher=Extratime.ie|date=9 March 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}} Since making his debut, Kavanagh quickly established himself in the starting eleven for the side.{{cite news|title=A League Of Ireland-Based 23-Man International Squad|url=http://www.punditarena.com/football/diarmuidoneill1991715/loi-based-ireland-squad/|publisher=Pundit Arena|date=6 March 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}} However, he was sent-off in the 84th minutes for a foul on Billy Dennehy, in a 1–0 win over Limerick.{{cite news|title=Graham Burke keeps his cool to send Shamrock Rovers up to second|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/graham-burke-keeps-his-cool-to-send-shamrock-rovers-up-to-second-36723120.html|publisher=The Irish Independent|date=20 March 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}} After serving a one match ban, he returned to the first team from suspension, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 win over Sligo Rovers on 30 March 2018.{{cite news|title=League Report: Shamrock Rovers 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/20637/league-report-shamrock-rovers-1---0-sligo-rovers/|publisher=Extratime.ie|date=30 March 2018|accessdate=6 April 2018}}

Kavanagh has represented Republic of Ireland's U16, U17{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/march/20/through-the-ranks|title=Through The Ranks|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=20 March 2012|accessdate=14 June 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614153419/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/march/20/through-the-ranks|archivedate=14 June 2016|url-status=live}} and U19{{cite web|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/may/14/academy-internationals|title=Academy Internationals|publisher=Fulham F.C.|date=12 May 2012|accessdate=14 June 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614153636/http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2012/may/14/academy-internationals|archivedate=14 June 2016|url-status=live}} before representing U21.

At the U21 side, Kavanagh was called up for the first time in September 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/king-makes-changes-to-u21-squad-for-norway-game|title=King makes changes to U21 squad for Norway game|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=6 October 2014|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406213301/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/king-makes-changes-to-u21-squad-for-norway-game|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} He made his Republic of Ireland U21 debut, where he came on as a substitute in the second-half, in a 4–1 loss against Norway U21 on 9 October 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55502/2015/999941124?tab=report|title=Disappointment for Ireland U21s in Drammen|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=9 October 2014|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406213307/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55502/2015/999941124?tab=report|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} It wasn't until on 4 September 2015 when he scored his first goals, in a 4–1 win over Qatar U23.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/king-pleased-as-ireland-u21s-beat-qatar-u23s|title=King pleased as Ireland U21s beat Qatar U23s|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=4 September 2015|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406214000/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/king-pleased-as-ireland-u21s-beat-qatar-u23s|archivedate=6 April 2018|url-status=live}} However, in a 3–1 loss against Lithuania U21 on 13 November 2015, Kavanagh was sent-off in the closing stage of the game for a foul on Deimantas Petravičius.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/13/2017/2016152?tab=report|title=Disappointment for Ireland U21s in Lithuania|publisher=Football Association of Ireland|date=13 November 2015|accessdate=6 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119053102/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/13/2017/2016152?tab=report|archivedate=19 November 2015|url-status=dead}} Despite serving a three match suspension, he went on to make 11 appearances and scoring 2 times for the U21 side.

Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, Kavanagh grew up supporting Liverpool and idolized full-back John Arne Riise, who was at Fulham when Kavanagh was at the club's academy. Riise left the club, months before Kavanagh made his Fulham debut.{{cite news|title=Fulham defender Kavanagh aims to emulate idol|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-defender-kavanagh-aims-emulate-7651571|publisher=Get West London|date=21 August 2014|accessdate=14 June 2016}}

{{updated|match played 27 September 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/sean-kavanagh/155786/|title=Republic of Ireland - S. Kavanagh - Profile with news, career statistics and history|website=Soccerway}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Shamrock Rovers

• League of Ireland Premier Division: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
• FAI Cup: 2019
• President of Ireland's Cup: 2022, 2024

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerbase}}
• [http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/250023257 Ireland profile] at the FAI

{{Shamrock Rovers F.C. squad}}

{{FAI Under 17 International Player of the Year}}

{{2019 PFAI League of Ireland Premier Division Team of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kavanagh, Seán}}

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Association footballers from Dublin (city)

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:English Football League players

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:Belvedere F.C. players

Category:Fulham F.C. players

Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players

Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players

Category:Shamrock Rovers F.C. players

Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen