Pierce O'Leary
Encyclopedia
Pierce O'Leary is an Irish
former professional footballer. Pierce is the brother of former Arsenal
star and fellow Irish international David O'Leary
.
O'Leary signed for Shamrock Rovers in 1977 under Johnny Giles
and made his debut in October http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1977/1024/Pg004.html#Ar00401:1745E41805FA1805E41835FA1835E41A45FA00034A2B435F2B434A2B635F2B634A2DC35F00044F33B46233A44F33E46233E44F34546200044535E45836044536245836244537F45837F445384458 and went on to win the FAI Cup
in 1978. A week after the Cup Final he signed for Philadelphia Fury
where he spent three months. In 1981 he signed for Vancouver Whitecaps
before joining Celtic
in November 1984.
O'Leary earned youth caps and 7 Republic of Ireland national football team
caps while at Milltown
, five Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
caps and made three appearances for Rovers in European competition.
The tall centre-half made his Celtic debut in a 2-1 Scottish Cup
victory at Hamilton Accies on January 30, 1985. He came on as substitute in the 1985 Scottish Cup
final as Celtic came from behind to defeat Dundee United 2-1. He then made enough appearances to claim a League Championship medal after Celtic pipped Hearts
for the title on the final day of the 1985-86 season
.
He was forced to retire in 1988 due to recurring pelvic trouble.
Pierce's son Ryan O'Leary
is now a professional footballer with Kilmarnock
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
former professional footballer. Pierce is the brother of former Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
star and fellow Irish international David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
.
O'Leary signed for Shamrock Rovers in 1977 under Johnny Giles
Johnny Giles
Michael John "Johnny" Giles is a former association footballer and manager best remembered for his time as a midfielder with Leeds United in the 1960s and 1970s...
and made his debut in October http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1977/1024/Pg004.html#Ar00401:1745E41805FA1805E41835FA1835E41A45FA00034A2B435F2B434A2B635F2B634A2DC35F00044F33B46233A44F33E46233E44F34546200044535E45836044536245836244537F45837F445384458 and went on to win the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
in 1978. A week after the Cup Final he signed for Philadelphia Fury
Philadelphia Fury
The Philadelphia Fury was a soccer team based in Philadelphia that played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1980. Among the club's investors were rock musicians Rick Wakeman, Peter Frampton and Paul Simon. The team played at Veterans Stadium....
where he spent three months. In 1981 he signed for Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
before joining Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in November 1984.
O'Leary earned youth caps and 7 Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic 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....
caps while at Milltown
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
, five Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
caps and made three appearances for Rovers in European competition.
The tall centre-half made his Celtic debut in a 2-1 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
victory at Hamilton Accies on January 30, 1985. He came on as substitute in the 1985 Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
final as Celtic came from behind to defeat Dundee United 2-1. He then made enough appearances to claim a League Championship medal after Celtic pipped Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
for the title on the final day of the 1985-86 season
1985-86 in Scottish football
The 1985–86 season was the 89th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Key events:With Rangers once again failing to mount a title challenge, manager Jock Wallace's second spell as manager ended in April when he was sacked and the club appointed Graeme Souness as player-manager,...
.
He was forced to retire in 1988 due to recurring pelvic trouble.
Pierce's son Ryan O'Leary
Ryan O'Leary
Ryan O'Leary is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Kilmarnock. O'Leary is the son of former Republic of Ireland international footballer Pierce O'Leary and the nephew of David O'Leary.-Club career:...
is now a professional footballer with Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
.
Honours
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
- Shamrock Rovers - 1978
- Scottish League
- Celtic F.C.Celtic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
- 1985/86
- Celtic F.C.
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
- Celtic F.C.Celtic F.C.Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
- 1985
- Celtic F.C.
- Pierce is the only player to have played for and against Shamrock Rovers in European competition.
- Was part of the first team to play a European tie at MilltownGlenmalure ParkGlenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
.
- Partnered his brother David O'LearyDavid O'LearyDavid Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
three times for Ireland against Bulgaria and Northern Ireland in 1979 and Holland in 1980.
- Is the only player to be brought on as a substitute to replace his brother in an International game at Wembley.