Brendan Clarke

Brendan Clarke (born 17 September 1985 in Dublin is an Irish football player who currently plays for St Patrick's Athletic in the League of Ireland

Club career

St Patrick's Athletic

Clarke is a goalkeeper and played schoolboy football for local side Cherry Orchard F.C.. He is one of a handful of local players to have played for St. Pats. Clarke had an extended spell in the first team at the end of the 2004 season as regular 'keeper Chris Adamson's form dropped.

In 2007, Clarke was sent on a season long loan to Waterford United but was recalled before the season got underway. At the end of the 2007 season Clarke played in the 4 of the last 5 league games. Keeping 3 clean sheets out of 4 ensuring the Saints secured UEFA Cup football in 2008. He only missed the last game of the season due to an injury during the warm up.

He had a very successful loan spell at Sporting Fingal F.C. during the 2nd half of the 2008 season. He played 14 games for Fingal, keeping 7 clean sheets.

When coming back to the Saints for the 2009 season, Clarke was told by then boss, John McDonnell, that he'd be his number 1 goalkeeper for the season. McDonnell then left the club and was replaced by Jeff Kenna as manager. Kenna let goalkeeper Barry Ryan go to Galway United and replaced him with Galway keeper Gary Rogers. Kenna favoured Rogers from day one and installed Rogers as his number 1 keeper. When Jeff Kenna resigned, new manager Pete Mahon came in and immediately put Clarke into the team. Clarke played in the final 10 games of the 2009 season and put in some fine performances. He kept 4 clean sheets in the 10 games including clean sheets against the Saints relegation rivals Bray Wanderers twice and Dundalk, and also keeping a clean sheet in the vital last game of the season against Shamrock Rovers.

Sporting Fingal

Following the 2009 season Clarke signed a 2-year full-time contract with Sporting Fingal, where he'd had a very successful loan spell in 2008.

Sligo Rovers

After Sporting Fingal ceased trading Clarke's contract was cancelled and he signed for Sligo Rovers on a 1-year full-time contract on 15 February 2011. Clarke impressed immediately by saving a penalty on his debut in the 1–0 win over Derry City F.C. in The Brandywell. He followed this up by keeping 5 clean sheets in his first 6 games. He has gone on a great run and has currently kept 9 consecutive clean sheets, setting a new League of Ireland record for consecutive clean sheets. This has helped Rovers move to the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division. Solid performances from Clarke helped Sligo to a 2nd place finish in the league and also a cup winners medal as Sligo lifted the FAI Cup for the second year in a row.

Return to St. Patrick's Athletic

Clarke signed a contract to return to the Saints for the 2012 season on 21 December 2011. He earned his place as number one keeper ahead of Barry Murphy and kept five clean sheets in the opening eight games of the season, conceding only three goals.

International career

He has represented the Republic of Ireland at schools international level and was selected as part of the Republic of Ireland Under 23 squad to play Northern Ireland in 2008.

Career statistics

Professional appearances – correct as of 25 July 2013

Honours

Club

St Patrick's Athletic

• League of Ireland Cup (1): 2003
• League of Ireland (1): 2013

Sligo Rovers

• FAI Cup (1): 2011

Personal

• PFAI Team of the Year (1): 2013

• SWAI Goalkeeper of the Year (1): 2013

References

External links