Anthony O'Connor (footballer)

Anthony O'Connor
Personal information
Full name Anthony Dean O'Connor[1]
Date of birth (1992-10-25) 25 October 1992
Place of birth Cork, Ireland
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position Defender, Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Aberdeen
Number 5
Youth career
2008–2011 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2012–2013 → Burton Albion (loan) 48 (0)
2013–2014 → Torquay United (loan) 31 (0)
2014–2015 → Plymouth Argyle(loan) 24 (0)
2015 Plymouth Argyle 18 (3)
2015–2016 Burton Albion 21 (1)
2016– Aberdeen 32 (3)
National team
2008 Republic of Ireland U17 3 (0)
2010–2011 Republic of Ireland U19 9 (2)
2013 Republic of Ireland U21 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:55, 4 August 2017 (UTC).

Anthony Dean O'Connor (born 25 October 1992) is an Irish footballer who currently plays for Scottish club Aberdeen as a defender or as a midfielder. He previously played in England for Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Burton Albion and has represented the Republic of Ireland under-21 team.

Career

Blackburn Rovers

Born in Cork, O'Connor joined the academy setup at Blackburn Rovers 2008, having previously played for Kilreen Celtic and Nu Farm.[2] In the summer of 2011, O'Connor signed his first professional contract.

In October 2012, O'Connor signed a new contract with Blackburn Rovers, that will keep him until 2015.[3] Ahead of the 2013–14 season, O'Connor was given number twenty-eight shirt at the club.[4]

Loan Spells

On 15 August 2012, he joined Football League Two side Burton Albion on an initial one-month loan.[5] His professional debut for Burton came on 18 August 2012, in a 3–0 defeat to Rotherham United at the New York Stadium. On 11 September 2013, O'Connor's loan spell at Burton was extended January 2013.[6] During that time, he became a regular at the Pirelli Stadium and his loan spell was again extended, this time until the end of the season.[7] In total, O'Connor made 53 appearances in all competitions for the club during the 2012–13 season.[8] Burton Albion made their attempts to sign O'Connor for the second time ahead of the season, but this was proven to be unsuccessful.[9]

On 1 October 2013, O'Connor joined League Two side Torquay United on a one-month loan deal.[10] On 29 October 2013, O'Connor extended his loan at Torquay by a further month, keeping him at Plainmoor until 30 November 2013.[11] Two days after his loan had expired, Torquay decided to extend his stay once again by a further month, thus keeping him at the club until the end of December 2013.[12] Shortly after extending his loan spell, O'Connor was named as the club's Player of the Month for November.[13] Throughout the season O'Connor was unable to help the club survive relegation to Football Conference, as he made twenty-four appearance for the club and despite this, O'Connor was named 2013–14 Young Player of the Season.[14]

Plymouth Argyle

Despite his aim to make a breakthrough for Blackburn Rovers in the 2014–15 season,[15] O'Connor, joined Plymouth Argyle on loan until 10 January 2015.[16] On 16 August 2014 O'Connor made his Plymouth debut, playing as defensive midfielder, in a 3–0 win over rivals, Exeter City.[17] Between August and February, O'Connor "operated in a holding role in front of the defence" and played "either in a midfield holding role or as a centre-back" which led Manager John Sheridan to praise his performance.[18][19]

On 2 February 2015, O'Connor signed for Plymouth Argyle, with Plymouth taking over Blackburn's existing contract for the defender, which was set to expire at the end of the season. A vastly successful loan spell followed, which saw the League Two side rocket up to 4th in the table.[19][20] O'Connor's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came five days later, in a 1–0 win over Accrington Stanley.[21] O'Connor scored his first Plymouth goal on 7 March 2015, in a 2-0 win over Northampton Town,[22] however O'Connor suffered a groin injury that kept him out for a month.[23] O'Connor made his return to the first team against Mansfield Town on 11 April 2015,[24] which he scored in a 2-1 win,[25] followed up by scoring another goal, in a 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon on 14 April 2015.[26] O'Connor then featured in both legs of the play-offs, playing in central-midfield against Wycombe Wanderers, which Plymouth lost 5-3 on aggregate. O'Connor made forty appearance for the club in the 2014-15 season.

At the expiration of his contract, O'Connor left the club.

Burton Albion

On 18 July 2015, O'Connor signed a two-year deal with Burton Albion, returning to the club where he had spent the 2012-13 season on loan.[27]

Aberdeen

On 25 June 2016, O'Connor signed a deal with Aberdeen, subject to International clearance.[28] On 7 July 2016, he made his debut in the second leg of the Europa League First qualifying round tie against Fola Esch.[29] On 4 November 2016, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win away to Partick Thistle.[30]

International career

In 2008, O'Connor was called up by Republic of Ireland U17 squad for the qualifying phase of the UEFA Under 17s Championship.[31] After this, O'Connor had represented Republic of Ireland U19 and Republic of Ireland U21.[32]

Career statistics

As of 4 August 2017[33]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Blackburn Rovers 2012–13 0000000000
2013–14 0000000000
2014–15 0000000000
Total 0000000000
Burton Albion (loan) 2012–13 480302000530
Torquay United (loan) 2013–14 310100000320
Plymouth Argyle (loan) 2014–15 24020102[lower-alpha 1]0290
Plymouth Argyle 2014–15 183000000183
Burton Albion 2015–16 21100201[lower-alpha 1]0241
Aberdeen 2016–17 32340401[lower-alpha 2]0413
2017–18 0000004[lower-alpha 2]040
Total 323404050453
Career total 174710090802017
  1. 1 2 Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 Appearances in UEFA Europa League

References

  1. ↑ "Updated Premier League squad list: Blackburn Rovers". London: Daily Mail. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  2. ↑ "Meet the Irish Under-17 squad". FAI. 26 September 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  3. ↑ "O'Connor pens new deal". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 11 October 2012. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Naew season, new numbers!". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 28 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Burton Albion sign Matt Paterson and Anthony O'Connor". BBC Sport. 15 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Brewers Extend O'Connor Loan". Burton Albion Official Website. 11 September 2012. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "O'Connor Loan Extension Confirmed". Burton Albion Official Website. 14 January 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Anthony O'Connor: Career History". Blackburn Rovers Official Website. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers to wait on O'Connor". Lancashire Telegraph. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "UNITED SIGN O'CONNOR". Torquay United Official Website. 1 October 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "O'CONNOR LOAN EXTENSION". Torquay United Official Website. 29 October 2013. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "ANOTHER MONTH FOR O'CONNOR". Torquay United Official Website. 2 December 2013. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "NICE ONE ANT". Torquay United F.C. 8 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "2013–14 AWARDS". Torquay United F.C. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  15. ↑ "Sky Bet Championship: Anthony O'Connor ready to step up at Blackburn". Sky Sports. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Pilgrims call for O'Connor". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 3–0 Exeter City". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "On-loan Blackburn Rovers defender Anthony O'Connor praised by Plymouth Argyle boss". Lancashire Telegraph. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  19. 1 2 "Plymouth want new deal for Blackburn Rovers youngster Anthony O'Connor". Lancashire Telegraph. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  20. ↑ "Transfer news: Plymouth sign Blackburn midfielder Anthony O'Connor". Sky Sports. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 1–0 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  22. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "High Energy". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 4 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Flying Ant". Plymouth Argyle F.C. 12 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  26. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle 1-1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 14 April 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  27. ↑ Wilkinson, A (18 July 2015). "Burton Albion sign Anthony O'Connor on a two-year deal". Burton Mail. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  28. ↑ "Anthony O'Connor joins Aberdeen". Aberdeen FC. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  29. ↑ Southwick, Andrew (7 July 2016). "Fola Esch 1–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  30. ↑ Barnes, John (4 November 2016). "Partick Thistle 1–2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "Rovers duo named in Ireland youth squad". Lancashire Telegraph. 24 September 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  32. ↑ "Country calls". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 31 January 2014. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  33. ↑ "A. O'CONNOR". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
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