David McAllister (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David McAllister is an Irish
professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Sheffield United
in the Football League Championship
. He is the younger brother of Irish cricketer Fintan McAllister
.
, McAllister began footballing life at underage level with his local side Rush Athletic before progressing up the Dublin schoolboy ranks with Home Farm
and Bohemians
.
McAllister made the step up to senior football with Drogheda United in 2007 as part of their under 21 panel. In 2008 McAllister was promoted to Drogheda United's first team for whom he made one appearance in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Shelbourne on 5 May 2008.
With first team opportunities restricted in an experienced Drogheda squad, McAllister was loaned to Shelbourne in July 2008 in order to gain first team experience. He made his Shelbourne début on 11 July 2008 as a substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Limerick 37
. McAllister scored 7 goals in 16 league appearances for Shelbourne during his loan spell and his impressive displays were rewarded with a permanent move to Shelbourne for the 2009 League of Ireland First Division season. McAllister thrived in Shelbourne's 2009 campaign. He scored an impressive 19 goals in 34 league and cup appearances for Shelbourne as they finished First Division runners-up for a second consecutive season.
With aspirations to play International Under 23 and League of Ireland Premier Division football, McAllister departed Shelbourne following the 2009 season to join Dublin rivals St. Patrick's Athletic for the Saints' 2010 Premier Division campaign. He made 40 league and cup appearances, scoring 5 goals for St. Patrick's Athletic in 2010 and after a number of impressive displays he was attracting interest from further afield.
in England
for a trial with Sheffield United
which resulted in him signing a pre-contract agreement to move there permanently during the January transfer window. A few days after his move McAllister made his début for the Blades as a 75 minute substitute in an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa
at Bramall Lane
but had to wait until late April to make his first league appearance against Bristol City
, marking his first start with a stunning long range goal against England
goalkeeper David James
.
in 2010, however he wasn't able to play due to an ankle injury.
Competitions include League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Play-offs
and 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,...
professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. He is the younger brother of Irish cricketer Fintan McAllister
Fintan McAllister
Fintan McAllister is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper. he has represented Ireland Under-19s since 2006, and also plays for the Irish Under-23 team....
.
League of Ireland
Growing up in Rush, Co. DublinRush, Dublin
Rush is a small seaside town, with a population of 8,280, situated between the communities of Skerries and Lusk in Fingal, Ireland. There has been a large population increase since the previous census in 2002, comprising mostly people from north Dublin....
, McAllister began footballing life at underage level with his local side Rush Athletic before progressing up the Dublin schoolboy ranks with Home Farm
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
and Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
.
McAllister made the step up to senior football with Drogheda United in 2007 as part of their under 21 panel. In 2008 McAllister was promoted to Drogheda United's first team for whom he made one appearance in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Shelbourne on 5 May 2008.
With first team opportunities restricted in an experienced Drogheda squad, McAllister was loaned to Shelbourne in July 2008 in order to gain first team experience. He made his Shelbourne début on 11 July 2008 as a substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Limerick 37
Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, Limerick...
. McAllister scored 7 goals in 16 league appearances for Shelbourne during his loan spell and his impressive displays were rewarded with a permanent move to Shelbourne for the 2009 League of Ireland First Division season. McAllister thrived in Shelbourne's 2009 campaign. He scored an impressive 19 goals in 34 league and cup appearances for Shelbourne as they finished First Division runners-up for a second consecutive season.
With aspirations to play International Under 23 and League of Ireland Premier Division football, McAllister departed Shelbourne following the 2009 season to join Dublin rivals St. Patrick's Athletic for the Saints' 2010 Premier Division campaign. He made 40 league and cup appearances, scoring 5 goals for St. Patrick's Athletic in 2010 and after a number of impressive displays he was attracting interest from further afield.
Sheffield United
In November 2010, McAllister went to SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for a trial with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
which resulted in him signing a pre-contract agreement to move there permanently during the January transfer window. A few days after his move McAllister made his début for the Blades as a 75 minute substitute in an FA Cup tie against 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...
at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
but had to wait until late April to make his first league appearance against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, marking his first start with a stunning long range goal against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
goalkeeper David James
David James (footballer)
David Benjamin James is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bristol City.On 14 February 2009, he achieved the all-time Premier League appearance record with 536 appearances, overtaking Gary Speed. He held this record until being overtaken by Ryan Giggs on the 14th May 2011...
.
International career
McAllister's performances earned him a call up for the Republic of Ireland U23 national 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....
in 2010, however he wasn't able to play due to an ankle injury.
Career statistics
Correct as of 23 April 2011.| Club | Season | League | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Drogheda United | 2008 | LOI Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 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.... |
2008 | LOI First Division | 16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 16 | 7 | |||||||||||
| 2009 | LOI First Division | 30 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 34 | 19 | |
| Total | 46 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 26 | ||
| St. Patrick's Athletic St Patrick's Athletic F.C. St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and... |
2010 2010 League of Ireland The 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... |
LOI Premier Division | 32 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 5 |
| Total | 32 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 5 | ||
| Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
2010–11 2010–11 Football League Championship The 2010–11 Football League Championship was the seventh season of the league under its current name and nineteenth season under its current league division format... |
FL Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2 | 1 | |||||||||||
| Total | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 80 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 94 | 32 | ||
Competitions include League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Play-offs
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...
and 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...