Sean Hargan
{{more footnotes needed|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sean Hargan
| image = Shargan.JPG
| image_size = 200
| caption =
| height =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|11|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = Derry, Northern Ireland
| currentclub =
| position = Left back
| years1 = 1995–2008 | years2 =2008–2009
| clubs1 = Derry City | clubs2 =Crusaders
| caps1 = 409 | goals1 = 56 | caps2= 18 | goals2 = 0 | totalcaps = 427 | totalgoals = 56
}}
Sean Hargan (born 1974) is a former professional footballer known for his long association with Derry City. A key member of the Derry City's 1996-97 league-winning side,{{cite news|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/how-derry-city-won-the-league-in-1997-felix-healys-heroes-2549824|title=How Derry City won the league in 1997: Felix Healy's Heroes|author=Staff Reporter|date=2020-06-14|newspaper=Derry Journal|access-date=2025-03-15}} Hargan played a pivotal role in the club's success over the years. His commitment and leadership on the pitch earned him a testimonial year in 2005, recognising his outstanding service to the club. Hargan had a brief spell at Crusaders before retiring at the end of the 2009 season.
Hargan is renowned for scoring the winning goal against two-time UEFA Cup winners IFK Gothenburg in the 2006 UEFA Cup,{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/derry-citys-sean-hargan-heads-the-goal-which-gave-the-candystripes-victory-over-ifk-gothenburg-in-the-uefa-cup/28023058.html|title=Derry City's Sean Hargan heads the goal which gave the Candystripes victory over IFK Gothenburg in the UEFA Cup|author=Staff Reporter|date=2006-07-14|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=2025-03-15}} securing a famous 1-0 underdog win for Derry City in Sweden."[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/5170552.stm IFK Gothenburg 0-1 Derry City]", BBC Sport (13 July 2006). This goal helped spark a memorable European campaign for the Candystripes, and was instrumental in securing an eventual group stage play-off tie against French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
To this day, it remains the clubs most famous goal, and iconic moments in European competition.{{Cite book |last=Ferry |first=Gary |title=30 Years - The Journey So Far: Derry City 1985-2015 |year=2020 |publisher=Derry City FC}}
Derry City
As a youngster, Sean played for Top of the Hill Celtic in the Derry and District League. As he developed, he broke into the Derry City team in the position of striker and scored a hat trick on his debut against Galway United. Hargan later converted to left back, where he offered unwavering commitment to the side, endearing him to the City supporters. Hargan has scored more than 50 competitive goals for the Candystripes, including the decisive header away to IFK Gothenburg in the 2006 UEFA Cup qualifying round. Also during the 2006 league season, Derry City escaped punishment for fielding a banned Hargan due to the league failing informing Derry City in the correct timeframe."[http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0816/rovers.html Rovers hit with a three point deduction]", RTÉ Sport (16 August 2006). By the end of that season, Hargan had made a total of 393 appearances for the club - that makes him the club's third highest appearer ever.
Hargan was described as a loyal servant for the club and is renowned for the goal he scored in the UEFA Cup tie (now Europa League) against Swedish giants IFK Gothenburg, which saw Derry City to a 1–0 victory on the night. To this day, it remains the clubs most famous goal.
After Derry's City's European experience which included memorable ties with Gretna and PSG, Shelbourne were reported to have shown interest in the left back, but Hargan pledged his loyalty and stayed with the Candystripes until the end of the 2008 season.
With the signing of Dave Rogers at the beginning of the 2007 season, Hargan's first-team place came under stiff competition. Nevertheless, due to his senior status in the team he was handed the role of vice-captain to Peter Hutton by Pat Fenlon for the season and Hargan seen off the completion of Rogers until he sustained an injury that would keep him out for the rest of the season.
Hargan signed for a Crusaders at the end of that season after departing the Brandywell club after 14 years at the club.
Crusaders
At the end of December 2008, Irish League side Crusaders signed Hargan on an 18-month deal. Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine were also believed to be interested in the veteran full-back, but Hargan signed for the Crues and spent just under a year as his career was cut short due to injury. Hargan retired from professional football at the end of the 2009 season at the age of 37. {{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/7796952.stm
|title=Former Derry star joins Crusaders
|date=2008-12-23
|accessdate=2008-12-27
|publisher=BBC Sport
|first=BBC
|last=Sport}}
Post-Retirement
Hargan joined former Derry City teammate Peter Hutton in Harry Gregg's testimonial match on 15 May 2012, at Windsor Park in Belfast.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/united-to-play-gregg-testimonial/28710694.html|title=United to play Gregg testimonial|author=Staff Reporter|date=2012-01-29|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=2025-03-15}} The match, which saw an Irish League XI take on a full-strength Manchester United side, celebrated the illustrious career of legendary goalkeeper Harry Gregg. Hargan played alongside a number of notable players,{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/wayne-rooney-of-manchester-united-clashes-with-sean-hargan-news-photo/144534952|title=Wayne Rooney of Manchester United clashes with Sean Hargan of the Irish League XI during Harry Gregg Testimonial match|author=John Peters|date=2012-05-15|website=Getty Images|access-date=2025-03-15}} with Manchester United emerging victorious, winning 4-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, and others.
Hargan was appointed Assistant Coach at Derry City following the appointment of Peter Hutton as manager in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsfile.com/id/922736/|title=Derry City v Shamrock Rovers - FAI Ford Cup Semi-Final Replay|author=Sportsfile|date=2014-10-01|website=Sportsfile|access-date=2025-03-15}}
Honours
File:Dublin Derry Final 68.JPG.]]Derry City
- x1 League of Ireland Premier Division: 1996–97; (runner-up: 2005, 2006)
- x2 FAI Cup: 2002, 2006; (runner-up: 1997, 2008)
- x5 League of Ireland Cup: 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070331025538/http://www.derrycityfc.net/players/current/shargan.php Player Profile - Official Derry City site]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hargan, Sean}}
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Crusaders F.C. players
Category:NIFL Premiership players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Association footballers from Derry (city)
Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland