Billy Dennehy
Encyclopedia
Billy Dennehy is an Irish
footballer, who currently plays for League of Ireland
side, Shamrock Rovers
. He is a left-sided midfielder
, and the older brother of Barnet
defender Darren Dennehy
.
. In the latter sport, he won the 2004 Munster Minor Football Championship
with the Kerry
minor team and also played with the Austin Stacks
club in Tralee.
Dennehy began his soccer playing career at local club Tralee Dynamos
until the club disbanded and he joined Kingdom Boys. There, Dennehy was called into the Shelbourne
team. After trials with Nottingham Forest
, Aston Villa
and Southampton
, Dennehy was brought to Sunderland by Mick McCarthy
after the midfielder impressed during a trial at the Stadium of Light
. He signed for the Black Cats
in January 2005.
Dennehy did not make a first-team appearance for Sunderland, but was a reserve and youth player at the club, and was given the squad number 34 for the 2006–07
season.
On 22 November 2007, Dennehy made the move from Wearside
to Lancashire
, joining Accrington Stanley
on a one month deal. There, he made his first ever league appearance. In June 2008, Dennehy was released by Sunderland.
On 27 August 2008, Dennehy signed for League of Ireland side Derry City
. After just a few months, however, he opted to uproot and join Cork City, signing a two-year contract with the club on 27 January 2009.
On 25 January 2010, Dennehy moved from Cork City to Shamrock Rovers
. He scored on his debut in a preseason friendly at Longford Town
. He scored his first league goal for the Hoops on 9 April.
In 2010 and 2011 he won the Ieague of Ireland championship with Shamrock Rovers. He also won the Setanta Cup in 2011 and played in the Europa League group stages. In 2011 he was club top scorer (in all competitions) with 16 goals.
making his U21 debut in February 2007. He made his U23 debut in May 2010. He was part of the winning team in the Under-19 International La Manga Tournament in Spain in 2006.
:
Setanta Sports Cup
:
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer, who currently plays for League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side, Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
. He is a left-sided midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, and the older brother of Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
defender Darren Dennehy
Darren Dennehy
Darren Dennehy is an Irish footballer who plays for Football League Two side Barnet as a defender. His older brother Billy Dennehy currently plays for Shamrock Rovers.-Everton:...
.
Playing career
Dennehy was a talented underage player in both soccer and Gaelic footballGaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
. In the latter sport, he won the 2004 Munster Minor Football Championship
Munster Minor Football Championship
The Munster Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council. The current Munster Minor football champions are Tipperary. Clare won the inaugural...
with the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
minor team and also played with the Austin Stacks
Austin Stacks
Austin Stacks is a hurling and Gaelic football club based in Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland. It has more All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals and GAA All-Stars than any other GAA club in Ireland...
club in Tralee.
Dennehy began his soccer playing career at local club Tralee Dynamos
Tralee Dynamos F.C.
Tralee Dynamos F.C. is an Irish football club, currently playing in the Newstalk A Championship in the Republic of Ireland. The club hails from Tralee, County Kerry in Ireland, and play their home matches at Cahermoneen. The club colours are red. The team were accepted to play in the newly formed A...
until the club disbanded and he joined Kingdom Boys. There, Dennehy was called into the Shelbourne
Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
team. After trials with Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
, Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, Dennehy was brought to Sunderland by Mick McCarthy
Mick McCarthy
Michael Joseph "Mick" McCarthy is an English-born former Irish international footballer who is currently the manager of Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he has been in charge since July 2006....
after the midfielder impressed during a trial at the Stadium of Light
Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light has the fifth-largest capacity of any English football stadium. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. matches...
. He signed for the Black Cats
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in January 2005.
Dennehy did not make a first-team appearance for Sunderland, but was a reserve and youth player at the club, and was given the squad number 34 for the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season.
On 22 November 2007, Dennehy made the move from Wearside
Wearside
Wearside is an area of north east England, centred on the continuous urban area formed by Sunderland, Seaham and other settlements by the River Wear. Mackems is a nickname used for the people of Wearside....
to Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, joining Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
on a one month deal. There, he made his first ever league appearance. In June 2008, Dennehy was released by Sunderland.
On 27 August 2008, Dennehy signed for League of Ireland side Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
. After just a few months, however, he opted to uproot and join Cork City, signing a two-year contract with the club on 27 January 2009.
On 25 January 2010, Dennehy moved from Cork City to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
. He scored on his debut in a preseason friendly at Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
. He scored his first league goal for the Hoops on 9 April.
In 2010 and 2011 he won the Ieague of Ireland championship with Shamrock Rovers. He also won the Setanta Cup in 2011 and played in the Europa League group stages. In 2011 he was club top scorer (in all competitions) with 16 goals.
International career
Dennehy has played at U17, U18, U19, U21 and U23 levels for the Republic of Ireland national football teamRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
making his U21 debut in February 2007. He made his U23 debut in May 2010. He was part of the winning team in the Under-19 International La Manga Tournament in Spain in 2006.
Honours
League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
:
-
- Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
- 20102010 League of IrelandThe 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
, 20112011 League of IrelandThe Premier Division consists of ten teams. Each team plays every other team four times, twice at home and twice away, for a total of 36 matches.-Teams:...
.
- Shamrock Rovers
Setanta Sports Cup
Setanta Sports Cup
The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as just the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland...
:
-
- Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
- 20112011 Setanta Sports CupThe 2011 Setanta Sports Cup is the sixth staging of the all Ireland association football competition known as the Setanta Sports Cup. It commenced on 14 February 2011 with the final played on 14 May 2011....
.
- Shamrock Rovers