Chris O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Chris O'Connor is an Australia
n football
goalkeeper. He last played for League of Ireland
club Bohemians
.
. He went on to play for Queensland at U-16 and U-19 level.
He was signed for Bray Wanderers
in 2003 at age 18 and represented the Eircom League in the U-21s Four Nations Tournament in Scotland
in 2004.
The PFAI
named O'Connor as the goalkeeper of the year for first division in 2004 after Bray were promoted to Premier League after that season. O'Connor's form was seen as a major reason for the Bray's promotion in 2004 as he kept 15 clean sheets (a new club record) in 33 league games.
Despite his youth O'Connor remained as Bray's first choice goalkeeper throughout the majority of his stay at the Carlisle Grounds
and his form was rewarded at the end of the 2009 season when he was nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year in the League of Ireland. Bohs' Brian Murphy
went on to win that award for the third successive year but in light of Murphy's departure from the club, Pat Fenlon
brought O'Connor to Dalymount Park
in time for the 2010 season.
O'Connor made an impressive competitive debut for Bohs on 13th March in the Setanta Sports Cup
match against Glentoran
, and was selected to feature in his first league game for the club 3 days later, away to UCD
Chris spent most of the first half of the season as second choice goalkeeper for Pat Fenlon
's side but regained his place midway through the season after some poor performances from Barry Murphy. Unfortunately for Chris and Bohs, they would lose the league title on goal difference.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper. He last played 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...
club 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...
.
Club career
O'Connor signed for Rochedale Rovers senior team in the Brisbane's Mens League at the age of 15. He was the youngest player ever to be signed in the Queensland State LeagueQueensland State League
Queensland State League may refer to:* Queensland State League , a statewide semi-professional association football league...
. He went on to play for Queensland at U-16 and U-19 level.
He was signed for Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
in 2003 at age 18 and represented the Eircom League in the U-21s Four Nations Tournament in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 2004.
The PFAI
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
named O'Connor as the goalkeeper of the year for first division in 2004 after Bray were promoted to Premier League after that season. O'Connor's form was seen as a major reason for the Bray's promotion in 2004 as he kept 15 clean sheets (a new club record) in 33 league games.
Despite his youth O'Connor remained as Bray's first choice goalkeeper throughout the majority of his stay at the Carlisle Grounds
Carlisle Grounds
The Carlisle Grounds is a football stadium in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, situated directly behind the Bray D.A.R.T. station. It is home to Bray Wanderers A.F.C. Its current capacity is roughly 3,000.-History:...
and his form was rewarded at the end of the 2009 season when he was nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year in the League of Ireland. Bohs' Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy (footballer)
Brian Murphy is an Irish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Queens Park Rangers. Murphy previously played for Bohemians, Swansea City, Manchester City and Ipswich Town.-Club career:...
went on to win that award for the third successive year but in light of Murphy's departure from the club, Pat Fenlon
Pat Fenlon
Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....
brought O'Connor to Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
in time for the 2010 season.
O'Connor made an impressive competitive debut for Bohs on 13th March in the 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...
match against Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
, and was selected to feature in his first league game for the club 3 days later, away to UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
Chris spent most of the first half of the season as second choice goalkeeper for Pat Fenlon
Pat Fenlon
Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....
's side but regained his place midway through the season after some poor performances from Barry Murphy. Unfortunately for Chris and Bohs, they would lose the league title on goal difference.