Stephen O'Halloran

Stephen O'Halloran
Personal information
Full name Stephen Edward O'Halloran[1]
Date of birth (1987-11-29) 29 November 1987
Place of birth Cobh, Republic of Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Left back/Centre back
Club information
Current team
 Salford City
Youth career
2003 Springfield
2003–2006 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Aston Villa 0 (0)
2006–2007 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 14 (0)
2008 → Southampton (loan) 1 (0)
2008 → Leeds United (loan) 0 (0)
2008 → Swansea City (loan) 3 (0)
2010–2011 Coventry City 13 (0)
2011–2012 Carlisle United 5 (0)
2012–2013 Nuneaton Town 37 (0)
2013–2015 Stockport County 78 (1)
2015– Salford City 71 (2)
National team
2005––2007 Republic of Ireland U21 13 (0)
2007 Republic of Ireland 2 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:11, 6 May 2016 (UTC).


Stephen Edward O'Halloran (born 29 November 1987) is an Irish semi-professional footballer who plays as a defender. He began his professional career in the Premier League with Aston Villa and has earned two full international caps for the Republic of Ireland. Following two serious cruciate ligament injuries during his time at Villa Park, O'Halloran moved on to Coventry City in 2010 and currently plays for Salford City. He is also a qualified physiotherapist having graduated from the University of Salford in 2016.[2]

Club career

Aston Villa

O'Halloran was born in Cobh and played for local side Springfield A.F.C., before joining Aston Villa. He broke into the Villa squad for their 2006–07 pre-season friendlies but did not make any first team appearances.[3] In late-2007, O’Halloran began talks over a new long term contract.[4] and it was later confirmed on 31 January 2008, which he signed a new contract with Aston Villa, keeping him at the club until 2009.[5]

However, at the beginning of the 2009–10 season O'Halloran was omitted from the press release announcing Villa's squad numbers. O'Halloran's number 29 shirt was given to Welsh international defender James Collins upon his signing for the club. O'Halloran returned for the reserves, in the national play-off final against Manchester United.[6] Despite never making an appearance, O’Halloran credited O’Neill for standing by him when he was suffering from injury.[7]

Loans

The young left-sided defender was loaned out to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers in October 2006.[8] After appearing as an un-used substitute for four matches,[9] O’Halloran made his Wycombe Wanderers debut, making his first start, in a 2–0 loss against Hartlepool United on 25 November 2006.[10] After making ten appearance for the club, O’Halloran’s loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers was extended until 20 January 2007.[11] A week after extending his lO’Halloran then played a pivotal role in guiding them to the semi-finals of the Football League Cup.[12] However, his loan spell ran out before the second-leg, and Wycombe eventually lost 5–1 to Chelsea.[13]

After failing to make a first team football by Martin O’Neill in the 2007–08 season,[14] he was loaned out to Championship side Southampton on 19 January 2008 until February 2008.[15] He made his Southampton debut on 29 January 2008, coming on as a substitute for Grégory Vignal in the 65th minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Norwich City.[16] However, after being on the substitute bench for six matches, O’Halloran returned to his parent club.[17]

On 28 February 2008, he signed for League One side Leeds United on an initial one-month loan deal.[18] In the warm up for what would have been his debut for Leeds against Swindon Town at the County Ground, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for up to a year.[19] He was replaced in the starting line-up by Frazer Richardson. After suffering the injury he returned to Aston Villa for treatment.[20] After returning from the loan spell at Leeds United, O’Halloran revealed he had a conversation his then team-mate Patrik Berger over injury.[21]

On 5 November 2008, O'Halloran signed for newly promoted Championship side Swansea City on an initial three-month loan deal as competition to Argentinian-born left back Federico Bessone. The 21-year-old was signed to fill the gap left by fellow Irish defender Marcos Painter, who was out for the majority of the season through injury.[22] O’Halloran made his Swansea City debut, where he made his first start, in a 2–2 draw against Barnsley on 9 December 2008.[23] However, O'Halloran was the victim of yet another cruciate ligament injury in his spell at Swansea, which caused him to terminate his loan on 25 December 2008. O'Halloran did not rule out a future spell at Swansea, claiming that he "may return one day to have another crack".[24]

Coventry City

O'Halloran signed a one-year deal with Coventry City on 23 June 2010 and was new manager Aidy Boothroyd's second signing of the close season.[25] Upon joining the club, O’Halloran stated he could one day play in the Premier League.[26]

O’Halloran made his Coventry City debut, coming on as a substitute, in the pre-season friendly against VF Gaflenz on 10 July 2010, which saw Coventry City won 2–0.[27] However, a week later, O’Halloran suffered a stiff back during a pre-season friendly match against Northampton Town[28] and missed at the start of the season.[29]

Despite being fit,[30] O’Halloran remained on the sidelined until on 29 December 2010, where he made his Coventry City debut, coming on as a substitute for Richard Woods in the 76th minutes, in a 1–0 win over Queen Park Rangers.[31] After the match, O’Halloran said he was glad to make his return to the pitch.[32] O’Halloran was given a first team run in, where he played through January and February.[33]

However, O’Halloran later came under criticism when he conceded two late goals in two matches against Swansea City and Leicester City.[34] O’Halloran’s form began to falter in the next game on 5 March 2011 when Coventry City lose 4–1 against Bristol City.[35] As a result, O’Halloran lose his first team place in the left-back by Chris Hussey and was on the substitute bench for remaining games towards the end of the season.[36]

After making eleven appearance in his first season at Coventry City, O’Halloran was released after the club decided against offering him a new contract.[37]

Carlisle United

On 24 June 2011, during a trial at the club, O'Halloran signed a one-year deal with Carlisle United, the contract will be officially signed on 1 August 2011.[38] Upon joining the club, O’Halloran said he joined the club to get regular first team football[39] and was given number 29 jersey at the club.

After appearing in the first four matches as an un-used substitute, O’Halloran made his Carlisle United debut, in a 2–1 loss against Leyton Orient.[40] After being sidelined for two matches,[41] O’Halloran remained on the substitute bench until he sustained a cartilage injury in his knee, resulting surgery.[42] After two months on the sidelined, O’Halloran made his return to training in January.[43]

However, O’Halloran struggled to regain his first team place and made only three appearance before being released at the end of the 2011–12 season.[44]

Nuneaton Town

After a brief trial, O'Halloran signed a one-year deal at Conference Premier team Nuneaton Town.[45] He was given the number 21 jersey at the club.

O’Halloran made his Nuneaton Town debut in the opening game of the season, where he played at left back for 90 minutes, in a 5–4 loss against Ebbsfleet United.[46] O’Halloran then played in his first match in midfield on 10 November 2012, in a 1-0 win over Kidderminister Harriers.[47] O’Halloran went on to make thirty-seven appearance, where he played in different defence and midfield positions.

At the end of the 2012–13 season, O’Halloran was released by the club.[48]

Stockport County

After leaving Nuneaton Town, O'Halloran joined Stockport Country on 13 June 2013.[49]

O’Halloran finished his first season at Stockport County on a high note, resulting him signing a new contract.[50] After the end of the 2014–15 season, O’Halloran left Stockport County, ending his two years at the club.[51]

Salford City

In May 2015, O’Halloran signed for Salford City.[52]

O’Halloran made his Salford City debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 0–0 draw against Marine.[53] Having become a regular in the first team, O’Halloran scored his first Salford City goal in the second round of FA Cup, in a 1–1 draw against Hartlepool United on 3 December 2015.[54] O’Halloran later helped Salford City when he scored the equaliser, in a 3–2 win over Workington, to help the club reach promotion to National League North.[55] In his first season at Salford City, O’Halloran made fifty–three appearance and scoring twice in all competitions.

International career

On 16 May 2007, O'Halloran was named in Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad and played in the friendlies against Ecuador and Bolivia, despite not having played a single first team game for Aston Villa.[56] O'Halloran also represented his country at U15, U16, U17 and U21 level and won the FAI Under 21 player of the year in 2008.

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2011 and 31/08/2011" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  2. ↑ Sutcliffe, Steven (1 August 2016). "Former ROI player graduates in physiotherapy". Professional Footballers' Association. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Wonder goal boosts Whittingham". Birmingham Mail. 24 July 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "O'Neill in O'Halloran talks". Sky Sports. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "O'Halloran given Villa assurances". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Matt (2 May 2010). "O'Halloran: Great To Be Back". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Aston Villa: Stephen O'Halloran speaks of gratitude towards Martin O'Neill after injury nightmare". Birmingham Mail. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  8. ↑ "Wycombe Wanderers snap up Aston Villa defender". BBC Sport. 20 October 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  9. ↑ "New Blue must be patient". Buck Free Press. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Duffy's double does for Blues". Buck Free Press. 27 November 2006. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Blues face defensive crisis". Buck Free Press. 5 January 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "Wycombe Wanderers 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 10 January 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "Blues sweat on Villa's Steve". Buck Free Press. 22 January 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  14. ↑ "Loan dilemma for Villa boss". Birmingham Mail. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Southampton sign Aston Villa defender". BBC Sport. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  16. ↑ "Southampton 0 – 1 Norwich City". BBC Sport. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "O'Halloran ready for loan move". Sky Sports. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "Leeds loan for Villa's O'Halloran". BBC Sport. 28 February 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  19. ↑ "O'Halloran's loan ended by injury". BBC Sport. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  20. ↑ "O'Halloran in USA for treatment". BBC Sport. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  21. ↑ "Patrik Berger's words of advice for injured Stephen O'Halloran". Birmingham Mail. 8 March 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Swans sign O'Halloran from Villa". BBC News. BBC Sport. 11 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  23. ↑ "Swansea City 2 – 2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 9 December 2008.
  24. ↑ "O'Halloran spreads Swans gospel". Swansea City A.F.C. 25 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "Coventry City sign Stephen O'Halloran from Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  26. ↑ "O'Halloran targets Prem return". Sky Sports. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  27. ↑ "FULL TIME: VF Gaflenz 0 Coventry City 2". Coventry City F.C. 10 July 2010. Archived from the original on 13 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "Injury niggles keep Coventry City stars on sidelines". Coventry Telegraph. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "Aidy Boothroyd: 'We're as ready as we'll ever be'". Coventry Telegraph. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  30. ↑ "Aidy Boothroyd "impatient and greedy" to fine tune Coventry City squad". Coventry Telegraph. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  31. ↑ "Match Report: Coventry City 0 – 2 Queen Parks Rangers". Coventry City F.C. 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  32. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran desperate to make up for lost time". Coventry Telegraph. 29 December 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  33. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran emergence halts Coventry City left-back swoop". Coventry Telegraph. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  34. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran given chance to impress". Coventry Telegraph. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  35. ↑ "Coventry City 1 – 4 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  36. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran back in the frame for Coventry City". Coventry Telegraph. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  37. ↑ "Coventry City to release Lee Carsley and four other first team stars". Coventry Telegraph. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  38. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran agrees Carlisle United deal". BBC Sport. 25 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  39. ↑ "Gossip: Stephen O'Halloran eyes end to injury nightmare". Coventry Telegraph. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  40. ↑ "Leyton Orient 1 Carlisle United 2". News and Star. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  41. ↑ "Carlisle Utd striker Lee Miller 'doing very nicely' says boss Abbott". News and Star. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  42. ↑ "Carlisle United's Stephen O'Halloran faces eight-weeks out". BBC Sport. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  43. ↑ "Andy Welsh set for Carlisle Utd comeback after three-month lay-off". News and Star. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  44. ↑ "Carlisle release Craig Curran and Stephen O'Halloran". BBC Sport. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  45. ↑ "Nuneaton sign Stephen O'Halloran and Robbie Thompson-Brown". BBC Sport. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  46. ↑ "Nuneaton 4 – 5 Ebbsfleet United". BBC Sport. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  47. ↑ "Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 Nuneaton Town". BBC Sport. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  48. ↑ "Nuneaton Town release five as York seeks move". Nuneaton News. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  49. ↑ "O'Halloran Signs On". Stockport County F.C. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  50. ↑ "Stockport County offer new deals to 12 players". Manchester Evening News. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  51. ↑ "New Stockport County boss Neil Young confident he'll have the funds to compete". Manchester Evening News. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  52. ↑ "New Stockport County boss Neil Young confident he'll have the funds to compete". Manchester Evening News. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  53. ↑ "Salford City 0 Marine 0 Northern Premier League match report: Salford start campaign with hard-fought draw". Manchester Evening News. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  54. ↑ "Salford City 1-1 Hartlepool: Non-League side earn FA Cup replay after Stephen O'Halloran equalises in front of Paul Scholes and Co". Daily Mail. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  55. ↑ "Gary Neville enjoys victorious end to a difficult season at Valencia as Salford City secure promotion to National League North". Daily Mail. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  56. ↑ "Republic call up uncapped players". BBC Sport. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
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