Robert Martin (footballer)
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| Robbie Martin | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Martin | |
| Date of birth | July 27, 1982 | |
| Place of birth | Dublin, Republic of Ireland | |
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | |
| Playing position | Striker, Left/Central Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Dundalk | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2000-2005 2006-2007 2007-present |
UCD Longford Town Dundalk |
142 (34) 43 (2) 0 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Robbie Martin (born July 27, 1982) is a versatile striker who was part of the UCD squad which won promotion to the Premier Division in 2004. Martin had began his senior career with the Students in 2000 as a 17-year-old after returning from a six-week stint with Ipswich Town, however, his five goals during that season were not enough to drag the college side out of the playoff spot, a two-legged affair which they eventually won against Athlone Town. In his first full season in the first-team, Martin finished as the club’s top scorer with 11 goals from 33 appearances and won the PFAI Young Player of the Year award, though he went on to score just two more (from 42 apps) over the following two seasons, the latter of which resulted in relegation from the Premier Division.
Martin remained at Belfield for the side’s First Division campaign, and he was to prove key to the Students winning promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt. He again came out top of the club’s goalscorers’ list, as he found the net 12 times from 30 appearances, though he was denied a league winning medal as UCD fell short by a single point to overhaul champions, Finn Harps. In 2005, UCD consolidated their place in the Premier Division with a ninth-placed finish, Martin scoring six of their goals in 28 appearances. The striker also helped the Students into the League Cup final in 2005 when he scored the second of two injury-time goals against Shelbourne at Tolka Park in the semi-final. Despite that, however, Martin was forced to start on the bench in the decider, and though he entered on the hour-mark, his efforts failed to inspire the hosts as they lost out 2-1 to Derry City.
At the end of that campaign, Martin, after a six-season spell at Belfield, left for pastures new and joined Longford Town in early 2006. One goal, which came in a 2-0 home win over Saint Patrick’s Athletic, in 21 appearances helped Longford to eighth position, though twelve months later, he was to experience the pain of relegation. Despite a spirited mid-season revival from the midlanders, they finished a point behind Waterford United and the playoff spot, though Martin did help Longford to an FAI Cup final by hitting the only goal of the game away to his ex-club UCD in the semi-final. It was an adventure which was to end in disappointment, however, as Longford lost out narrowly to Cork City, with Martin, despite the cartilage in his knee popping just after half-time, playing the full 90 minutes of the RDS clash.
After two seasons at Flancare Park, Martin soon departed following the cup final defeat, and was quickly acquired by Dundalk for their 2008 First Division campaign. Martin was used mainly as a left winger during his time at Longford, however, John Gill has signed the Dubliner as a striker, his preferred position.
Played with his brother John Martin (Irish footballer) while at UCD. His father John Martin played for Shamrock Rovers in the 1970s as does John now.
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