Patrick Sweeney (soccer)

Patrick (Paddy) Sweeney
Personal information
Full name Patrick Sweeney
Date of birth 3 June 1976 (1976-06-03) (age 35)
Place of birth Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
1991–1993 Keadue Rovers F.C.
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Finn Harps F.C.
1995–1999 Sligo Rovers F.C.
1999–2000 Milligan College
2003–2004 Northern Virginia Royals
2006–2008 St. Pete Aztecs F.C.
2010 Real Maryland Monarchs
Teams managed
2001–2010 Azalea Youth Soccer League (Director of Coaching)
2008–2011 Tampa Spartans (Assistant)
2010 Real Maryland Monarchs (Assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Patrick (Paddy) Sweeney (born 3 June 1976 from County Donegal) is an Irish footballer and most recently a player/assistant manager (coach) for Real Maryland Monarchs in the USL Second Division.

Contents

Career

Ireland

Sweeney began his career with storied Irish amateur club Keadue Rovers F.C.. He was then chosen to play for Donegal youths and Ulster schools select teams. He signed his first contract in 1993 at the age of 18 for Finn Harps F.C. of the First Division of the League of Ireland under manager Patsy McGowan. He played there from 1993-1994 and then signed with Sligo Rovers F.C. of the Premier Division of the League of Ireland under manager Tony Fagan. Sweeney played with Sligo Rovers F.C. from 1995-1999 and was a member of the first team squad that won the League of Ireland Cup in 1998. During those years he was also managed by Nicky Reid the former Manchester City F.C. fullback.

United States

Sweeney then moved to the United States and played two seasons (1999-2000) for Milligan College in Johnson City, TN (NAIA). During the 1999 season, the team won its first TVAC Conference Tournament Championship in its 30 year history. Sweeney was awarded the Golden boot with 14 goals and the Silver boot with 8 assists that season for a total and team high of 36 points in 20 games. He was also named the Dominican College, N.Y. Player of the Tournament. In 2003 Sweeney signed for the Northern Virginia Royals of the USL Pro Select League playing that season with US international goalkeeper Troy Perkins. Sweeney tore his ACL in 2005 and then returned to play with the St. Pete Aztecs, an amateur team playing in the USASA-affiliated Florida Suncoast Soccer League from 2006-2008. Sweeney was a part of the Aztecs team that won the Presidents Cup State Division 1 Championship in 2006. In 2010 Sweeney signed with the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division as a player/assistant coach under manager Anthony Hudson.

Coaching

Sweeney began his coaching career in 2001 with the Azalea Youth Soccer League in St. Petersburg, FL. He was the Director of Coaching there through 2010. In 2005 he earned his USSF B License and the following year earned his USSF A License. In 2008 he began coaching with Gerry Lucey as an assistant for the Tampa Spartans women’s program winning the Sunshine State Conference tournament in 2010 and 2011, and the NCAA South Region championship in 2011. In 2010 he worked under head coach Anthony Hudson as an assistant for the Real Maryland Monarchs of the USL Second Division. In 2011 Sweeney completed a FIFA coaching course in collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Federation. He also coached Team Calvary to a third place finish in the United Soccer Leagues Major Beach Soccer national finals. Team Calvary included US International player Yuri Morales and Senagalese international and Bundesliga player Louis Gomis. Sweeney also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Columbia Southern University.

References

External links