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)
Position(s) Left back/Centre back
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) 11 (0)
2008 → Southampton (loan) 1 (0)
2008 → Leeds United (loan) 0 (0)
2008 → Swansea City (loan) 2 (0)
2010–2011 Coventry City 11 (0)
2011–2012 Carlisle United 3 (0)
2012–2013 Nuneaton Town 37 (0)
2013–2015 Stockport County 67 (1)
2015–2017 Salford City 82 (2)
2017–2018 Stockport County 32 (0)
2018–2019 FC United of Manchester 41 (0)
2019–2022 Stalybridge Celtic 45 (1)
International career
2005–2007 Republic of Ireland U21 13 (0)
2007 Republic of Ireland 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:13, 10 May 2022 (UTC)

Stephen Edward O'Halloran (born 29 November 1987) is an Irish former footballer who retired from football in May 2022. He finished his playing career as a defender for Stalybridge Celtic in the NLS.

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 he left the club without making a first team appearance. O'Halloran went on to play professional football with Coventry City in 2010–11 and Carlisle United in 2011–12 before moving into semi-professional football in 2012. O'Halloran has gone on to play for Nuneaton Town, Stockport County, Salford City and FC United of Manchester during his NLS career.

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] it was later confirmed on 31 January 2008, when 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

O'Halloran 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 appearances for the club, O'Halloran's loan spell with Wycombe Wanderers was extended until 20 January 2007.[11] A week after extending his loan, O'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 appearance under 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 minute, 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 teammate 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]

After recovering to full fitness,[30] O'Halloran remained on the sidelines until on 29 December 2010, where he made his Coventry City debut, coming on as a substitute for Richard Woods in the 76th minute, 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 the team 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 lost 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 appearances 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, following a trial at the club, O'Halloran signed a one-year deal with Carlisle United, the contract being officially signed on 1 August 2011.[38] O'Halloran said he joined the club to get regular first team football[39] and was given number 29 jersey.

After appearing in the first four matches as an unused 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, requiring surgery.[42] After two months on the sidelines, O'Halloran made his return to training in January.[43]

O'Halloran struggled to regain his first team place and made only three appearances 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 with National League team Nuneaton Town.[45]

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 Kidderminster Harriers.[47] O'Halloran went on to make thirty-seven appearances, where he played in defence and midfield.

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 scored the equaliser in a 3–2 win over Workington, to help the club reach promotion to National League North.[55]

Stockport County

In June 2017, O'Halloran rejoined Stockport Country, signing a one-year contract ahead of the start of the National League North season.[56] O'Halloran played 39 league and cup matches on his return to County and helped the team to the playoffs. Stockport Country lost in the playoffs 1–0 to Chorley.[57]

F.C. United of Manchester

On 3 June 2018, O'Halloran joined FC United of Manchester.[58] O'Halloran made 45 appearances for the club in a season in which the club suffered its first relegation.

Stalybridge Celtic

On 6 June 2019, O'Halloran signed a one-year contract with Stalybridge Celtic in the Northern Premier League. He was named club captain by manager Simon Haworth at the start of the season.

O’Halloran signed a new deal to stay with Stalybridge Celtic ahead of the 2020–21 season as a player/coach.[59]

On 5 May 2021, O’Halloran renewed his contract with Stalybridge Celtic as player/coach for the 2021–22 season.[60] O’Halloran was appointed to a new role as player/assistant manager for Stalybridge Celtic on 14 September 2021, beginning his new role as assistant to Simon Haworth in Celtic's 3–0 victory over Scarborough.[61]

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.[62]

O'Halloran also represented his country at U15, U16, U17 and U21 level.

He won the FAI Under 21 player of the year in 2008.

Career statistics

As of match played 23 April 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2006–07[63] League Two 11000201[lower-alpha 1]0140
Southampton (loan) 2007–08[64] Championship 100000—10
Swansea City (loan) 2008–09[65] Championship 200010—30
Coventry City 2010–11[66] Championship 1102000—130
Carlisle United 2011–12[67] League One 3000101[lower-alpha 1]050
Nuneaton Town 2012–13[68] National league 37000—1[lower-alpha 2]0380
Stockport County 2013–14[68] National League North 26000—10270
2014–15[68] 41110—6[lower-alpha 2]0481
Stockport County total 671100070751
Salford City 2015–16[68] Northern Premier League 46141—30532
2016–17[68] National League North 27000—20290
Salford City total 731410050822
Stockport County 2017–18[68] National League North 32000—12[lower-alpha 2]0440
F.C. United of Manchester 2018–19[68] National League North 41000—4[lower-alpha 2]0450
Stalybridge Celtic 2019–20[68] Northern Premier League 32100—5[lower-alpha 2]0371
2020–21[68] Northern Premier League 7000—1[lower-alpha 2]080
2021–22[68] Northern Premier League 6000—1070
Stalybridge Celtic total 451000070521
Career total 323371403803724
  1. 1 2 Appearances in the Football League Trophy
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearance in the FA Trophy

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/08/2011 and 31/08/2011" (PDF). The Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2012. 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 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 United". BBC Sport.
  55. ↑ "5:24 Kyle May scores for Workington". thenpl.co.uk.
  56. ↑ "Stephen O'Halloran returns to County". Stockport County F.C. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  57. ↑ "O'Halloran decides to move on". Stockport County F.C. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  58. ↑ "FC United sign Stephen O'Halloran". FC United of Manchester. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  59. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic – Official Site – News". Stalybridgeceltic.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  60. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic – Official Site – News". Stalybridgeceltic.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  61. ↑ "Stalybridge Celtic – Official Site – News". Stalybridgeceltic.co.uk. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
  62. ↑ "Republic call up uncapped players". BBC Sport. 15 May 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Stephen O'Halloran in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  64. ↑ "Games played by Stephen O'Halloran in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  65. ↑ "Games played by Stephen O'Halloran in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Stephen O'Halloran in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Stephen O'Halloran in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  68. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Stephen O'Halloran at Soccerway. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
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