Martin Donnelly (footballer, born 1988)

Martin Donnelly (born 28 August 1988) is a retired Northern Irish footballer born in Belfast who played as a winger.[1]

Martin Donnelly
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-08-28) 28 August 1988
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Linfield
Number 11
Youth career
Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2008 Sheffield United 0 (0)
2008 → Rochdale (loan) 0 (0)
2008–2011 Crusaders 98 (14)
2011–2017 Cliftonville 219 (23)
2017–2021 Larne 45 (27)
2021-2022 Linfield 0 (0)
International career‡
2004–2005 Northern Ireland U17 5 (1)
2005–2007 Northern Ireland U19 6 (2)
2007–2008 Northern Ireland U20 3 (0)
2007–2009 Northern Ireland U21 5 (0)
2009 Northern Ireland U23 3 (1)
2009 Northern Ireland 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 December 2017
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 October 2010

After previously playing for Sheffield United and Rochdale, without appearing in the Football League, Donnelly signed for Crusaders in the summer of 2008, and won the Irish Cup in 2009.[2] Along with team-mate Colin Coates, he was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the match against Italy on 6 June 2009. Donnelly entered the game as an 82nd-minute substitute to win his first full cap,[3][4] to add to the three under-21 caps he had won previously.

During his time with the Crues, he made a total of 126 appearances, scoring 22 goals. After turning down the club's offer of a new contract midway through the 2010–11 season, Donnelly joined North Belfast rivals Cliftonville on a two-year contract, of whom he is a lifelong fan.[5]

Donnelly joined Larne in the 2018 transfer window[6] and quickly established himself as a firm fans favourite. He scored 24 goals as the club romped to the 2018/19 Championship title. On 16 August 2021 it was announced that Donnelly had signed for Linfield, as part of a player exchange deal which saw Navid Nasseri move to Larne.[7]

Honours

Crusaders

Cliftonville

Larne

Individual

References
  1. "David Healy - news of a signing from Larne and a departure to Larne". Linfield F.C. 16 August 2021.
  2. Allen, Tommy (9 May 2009). "Crusaders triumph in all-Belfast final". UEFA. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  3. "Brave NI fall short in Italy". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  4. "Match facts". Sky Sports. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  5. "Donnelly signs for Cliftonville". BBC News. 13 May 2011.
  6. "Cliftonville trio Martin Donnelly, Ciaran Caldwell and Chris Ramsey move to Larne". BBC News. 11 December 2017.
  7. "Irish Premiership: Martin Donnelly joins Linfield from Larne as Navid Nasseri makes move in opposite direction". BBC Sport NI. 16 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  8. "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  9. "Premiership Team of the Year revealed". Belfast Live. 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
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