Rob Kiernan
Encyclopedia
Robert Samuel Kiernan is an Irish
association footballer who plays as either a centre back or central midfielder for Wigan Athletic
. He previously played for Watford
, and spent time on loan at Kilmarnock
, Yeovil Town
, Bradford City
and Wycombe Wanderers
. Kiernan has captained the Republic of Ireland national football team
at under-19 level and under-21 levels.
in Northern Ireland
in the summer of 2008. Kiernan was moved from his natural position of central midfielder to play centre-half, to take advantage of his height and physical presence, and also captained the side. His performances drew praise from coach Mark Warburton.
Later in summer −2008 he was called up by the Republic of Ireland
under-19s for a four nation tournament. However, he had to withdraw after tearing his right thigh muscle.
Kiernan captained the under-18 side in 2008–09, in which they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup
. In October 2008, along with Billy Gibson and Ross Jenkins
, Kiernan signed a developmental contract, keeping him with Watford until the end of the 2009–10 season
. A professional contract, it allowed the players to continue their scholarship without the pressure of worrying about their future.
Brendan Rodgers
was appointed Watford manager in November 2008, and under him Kiernan began to take part in some first team training sessions. Kiernan made the first team substitute bench for the first time on 24 January 2009 in a FA Cup
4th Round tie against Crystal Palace
at Vicarage Road
. He went on to make his debut as a 90th minute substitute for Gavin Hoyte
, with Watford going on to win 4–3. Although he did not make any further first-team appearances that season, he did finish with 17 starts for the Academy side, and nine starts for the reserves.
In January 2010 Kiernan went on trial with Scottish Premier League
side Kilmarnock
with a view to a loan move. With two defensive players injured, manager Jimmy Calderwood
brought Kiernan in on a recommendation. He joined Kilmarnock on the same day as Scottish teammate Scott Severin
, and was given the number 29 shirt. Kiernan made his first team debut on 2 February 2010, as a 73rd minute substitute in a 1–0 Scottish Premier League
win against Celtic
.
Kiernan played three matches for Yeovil Town
at the start of the 2010–11 season, and on 12 November joined Bradford City
on a two-month loan. Prior to signing for Bradford, Conference
side Histon
also attempted to sign Kiernan on loan.
On 28 June 2011, Kiernan rejected a new two-year contract offer from Watford due to 'slightly reduced' terms, and signed for Premier League side Wigan Athletic
.
Key
Apps = Appearances
= Yellow cards
= Red cards
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,...
association footballer who plays as either a centre back or central midfielder for Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
. He previously played for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, and spent time on loan at 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...
, Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
. Kiernan has captained the 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....
at under-19 level and under-21 levels.
Career
Watford's sent two youth squds to the Milk CupMilk Cup
The Milk Cup is an international youth football tournament held annually in Northern Ireland. The cup matches are mainly played in the North Coast area of Northern Ireland, with matches taking place in the towns of Portrush, Portstewart, Castlerock, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Ballymena and...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in the summer of 2008. Kiernan was moved from his natural position of central midfielder to play centre-half, to take advantage of his height and physical presence, and also captained the side. His performances drew praise from coach Mark Warburton.
Later in summer −2008 he was called up by the Republic of Ireland
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....
under-19s for a four nation tournament. However, he had to withdraw after tearing his right thigh muscle.
Kiernan captained the under-18 side in 2008–09, in which they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
. In October 2008, along with Billy Gibson and Ross Jenkins
Ross Jenkins (footballer born 1990)
-External links:*...
, Kiernan signed a developmental contract, keeping him with Watford until the end of the 2009–10 season
Watford F.C. season 2009–10
Watford Football Club are an association football club from Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Home matches were played at the club's stadium, Vicarage Road, which had a capacity of 17,504 for the 2009–10 season...
. A professional contract, it allowed the players to continue their scholarship without the pressure of worrying about their future.
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish former footballer, who is currently the manager of Swansea City.After retiring as a footballer at the age of 20, Rodgers stayed at Reading and was appointed as youth team coach. He joined Chelsea, under the leadership of José Mourinho, as youth team manager in...
was appointed Watford manager in November 2008, and under him Kiernan began to take part in some first team training sessions. Kiernan made the first team substitute bench for the first time on 24 January 2009 in a FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
4th Round tie against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
. He went on to make his debut as a 90th minute substitute for Gavin Hoyte
Gavin Hoyte
Gavin Andrew Hoyte is an English footballer. A product of Arsenal Academy who plays as a defender for Arsenal and he is the son of British sprinter, Wendy Hoyte and the younger brother of Justin Hoyte, who also played for Arsenal before his move to Middlesbrough in 2008.-Career:Hoyte has been...
, with Watford going on to win 4–3. Although he did not make any further first-team appearances that season, he did finish with 17 starts for the Academy side, and nine starts for the reserves.
In January 2010 Kiernan went on trial with Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side 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...
with a view to a loan move. With two defensive players injured, manager Jimmy Calderwood
Jimmy Calderwood
James "Jimmy" Calderwood is a Scottish former footballer and currently without a club having recently been manager of Ross County. Calderwood played for English clubs Birmingham City and Cambridge United and Dutch clubs Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II Tilburg, Roda JC and Heracles Almelo...
brought Kiernan in on a recommendation. He joined Kilmarnock on the same day as Scottish teammate Scott Severin
Scott Severin
Scott Derek Severin is a Scottish professional footballer, currently playing for Dundee United. Severin has previously played for Heart of Midlothian and Aberdeen, where he was club captain for two seasons. He has also made 15 appearances for Scotland national football team...
, and was given the number 29 shirt. Kiernan made his first team debut on 2 February 2010, as a 73rd minute substitute in a 1–0 Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
win against 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...
.
Kiernan played three matches for Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
at the start of the 2010–11 season, and on 12 November joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
on a two-month loan. Prior to signing for Bradford, Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
side Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
also attempted to sign Kiernan on loan.
On 28 June 2011, Kiernan rejected a new two-year contract offer from Watford due to 'slightly reduced' terms, and signed for Premier League side Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
.
Career statistics
Statistics correct .Key
Apps = Appearances
| Club | Division | Season | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | Discipline | |||||||||
| Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
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... |
2008–09 2008–09 Watford F.C. season -External links:**... |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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... |
2009–10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 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... |
Scottish Premier League Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
2009–10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yeovil Town Yeovil Town F.C. Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
2010–11 2010–11 Yeovil Town F.C. season The 2010–11 Yeovil Town F.C. season was Yeovil Town's 8th season in the Football League and their sixth consecutive season in League One finishing in their second highest ever position of 14th with 59 points.-End of season squad:... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
2010–11 2010–11 Bradford City A.F.C. season The 2010–11 season is the 108th season in Bradford City A.F.C.'s history, their 96th in the Football League and 98th in the league system of English football... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Watford | 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... |
2010–11 2010–11 Watford F.C. season -Football League Championship:A total of 24 teams competed in the Football League Championship in the 2010–11 season. Each team played 46 matches; two against every other team, with one match played at each club's stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one for a draw, and none for defeats... |
0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wycombe Wanderers Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play... |
Football League Two Football League Two Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
2010–11 2010–11 Wycombe Wanderers F.C. season The 2010–11 Football League Two is Wycombe Wanderers F.C.s seventeenth season of League football. This article shows statistics of the club's players in the season, and also lists all matches that the club has played during the season.-Legend:-Friendlies:... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
Premier League | 2011–12 2011–12 Wigan Athletic F.C. season The 2011–12 English football season is Wigan Athletic F.C.'s their seventh consecutive season in the Premier League. They will also compete in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup.-Pre season:-Premier League:-League Cup:-Captains:... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career totals | 17 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||