Martin Donnelly (footballer, born 1988)
Martin Donnelly (born 28 August 1988) is a retired Northern Irish footballer born in Belfast who played as a winger.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 August 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Linfield | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Sheffield United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2005–2008 | Sheffield United | 0 | (0) |
| 2008 | → Rochdale (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2008–2011 | Crusaders | 98 | (14) |
| 2011–2017 | Cliftonville | 219 | (23) |
| 2017–2021 | Larne | 45 | (27) |
| 2021-2022 | Linfield | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2004–2005 | Northern Ireland U17 | 5 | (1) |
| 2005–2007 | Northern Ireland U19 | 6 | (2) |
| 2007–2008 | Northern Ireland U20 | 3 | (0) |
| 2007–2009 | Northern Ireland U21 | 5 | (0) |
| 2009 | Northern Ireland U23 | 3 | (1) |
| 2009 | Northern Ireland | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 December 2017 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 October 2010 | |||
After previously playing for Sheffield United and Rochdale, without appearing in the Football League, Donnelly signed for Crusaders in the summer of 2008, and won the Irish Cup in 2009.[2] Along with team-mate Colin Coates, he was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the match against Italy on 6 June 2009. Donnelly entered the game as an 82nd-minute substitute to win his first full cap,[3][4] to add to the three under-21 caps he had won previously.
During his time with the Crues, he made a total of 126 appearances, scoring 22 goals. After turning down the club's offer of a new contract midway through the 2010–11 season, Donnelly joined North Belfast rivals Cliftonville on a two-year contract, of whom he is a lifelong fan.[5]
Donnelly joined Larne in the 2018 transfer window[6] and quickly established himself as a firm fans favourite. He scored 24 goals as the club romped to the 2018/19 Championship title. On 16 August 2021 it was announced that Donnelly had signed for Linfield, as part of a player exchange deal which saw Navid Nasseri move to Larne.[7]
Honours edit
Crusaders
- Irish Cup (1): 2008–09
- County Antrim Shield (1): 2009–10
Cliftonville
- County Antrim Shield (1): 2011–12
- NIFL Premiership (2): 2012–13, 2013–14
- Irish League Cup (4): 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16
Larne
- County Antrim Shield (1): 2020-21[8]
- NIFL Championship (1): 2018-19
Individual
- Ulster Young Player of the Year (1): 2008–09
- NIFL Championship Player of the Year 2018-19
- NIFL Championship Team of the Year 2018-19
- NIFL Premiership Team of the Year 2020-21[9]
References edit
- ^ "David Healy - news of a signing from Larne and a departure to Larne". Linfield F.C. 16 August 2021.
- ^ Allen, Tommy (9 May 2009). "Crusaders triumph in all-Belfast final". UEFA. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ "Brave NI fall short in Italy". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ "Match facts". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
- ^ "Donnelly signs for Cliftonville". BBC News. 13 May 2011.
- ^ "Cliftonville trio Martin Donnelly, Ciaran Caldwell and Chris Ramsey move to Larne". BBC News. 11 December 2017.
- ^ "Irish Premiership: Martin Donnelly joins Linfield from Larne as Navid Nasseri makes move in opposite direction". BBC Sport NI. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ "Premiership Team of the Year revealed". Belfast Live. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
External links edit
- Northern Ireland profile at NIFG