David Meyler
Encyclopedia
David Meyler is an Irish
footballer who plays for Sunderland
in the Premier League. He is the son of hurling
manager John Meyler
. He grew up in Rochestown Rise in Cork
, and, like his father, played hurling, Gaelic football
and soccer from an early age.
and signed a professional contract in 2008. He made six appearances for Cork in League of Ireland
at the age of nineteen.
on the 25 July 2008 for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £250,000. He became their third summer signing and followed the footsteps of former Cork City teammate Roy O'Donovan
to make a switch to Stadium of Light
. However, it was not until a year and a half later after joining Sunderland, that Meyler made his first professional appearance for the club, starting against Blackburn Rovers F.C.
on December 28, 2009. In his third appearance for Sunderland, at Portsmouth
on 9 February 2010 Meyler received a straight red card just minutes after coming on as a second half substitute. Meyler suffered serious cruciate ligament damage against Manchester United on 2 May 2010, leaving him sidelined for 12 months.
However, he made a quicker recovery than expected, making his comeback for Sunderland's Reserves on November 2, 2010, against Liverpool Reserves. Manager Steve Bruce
insisted Meyler would not be rushed back to first team action. He returned surprisingly away to Fulham, featuring for 52 minutes in a 0–0 draw. On January 5, 2011, Meyler pulled up suddenly and was stretchered off in Sunderland's away match at Aston Villa
. It was revealed after the game by Steve Bruce
that Meyler suffered cruciate ligament damage to the same knee as before. It was later announced by Sunderland that Meyler had a scan on the knee and had torn his medial ligament. This ruled Meyler out for another 10 weeks at least rather than 6 months which was first feared. Meyler returned to the Sunderland bench for their defeat at Birmingham City
on 16 April 2011.
against Germany in February 2009.
He had been selected for the Republic of Ireland senior squad when his first knee injury struck, forcing him to withdraw.
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,...
footballer who plays for Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in the Premier League. He is the son of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
manager John Meyler
John Meyler
John Meyler is an Irish hurling manager and former player,. He played hurling with his local clubs Our Lady's Island and St. Finbarr's and with the Wexford and Cork senior inter-county teams from 1973 until 1987...
. He grew up in Rochestown Rise in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, and, like his father, played hurling, Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
and soccer from an early age.
Cork City
He progressed through the youth team of Cork CityCork City F.C.
Cork City Football Club is an Irish football team that plays in the League of Ireland. Founded and elected to the league in 1984 to continue the long tradition of Association Football in Cork, City's traditional colours are green and white with red trim, and the crest is a variant of the Cork...
and signed a professional contract in 2008. He made six appearances for Cork in 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...
at the age of nineteen.
Sunderland
He joined SunderlandSunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on the 25 July 2008 for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £250,000. He became their third summer signing and followed the footsteps of former Cork City teammate Roy O'Donovan
Roy O'Donovan
Roy Simon O'Donovan is an Irish footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Coventry City. He has been capped for his country at Under-19, Under-21 and B level.-Club career:...
to make a switch to Stadium of Light
Stadium of Light
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light has the fifth-largest capacity of any English football stadium. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. matches...
. However, it was not until a year and a half later after joining Sunderland, that Meyler made his first professional appearance for the club, starting against Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
on December 28, 2009. In his third appearance for Sunderland, at Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
on 9 February 2010 Meyler received a straight red card just minutes after coming on as a second half substitute. Meyler suffered serious cruciate ligament damage against Manchester United on 2 May 2010, leaving him sidelined for 12 months.
However, he made a quicker recovery than expected, making his comeback for Sunderland's Reserves on November 2, 2010, against Liverpool Reserves. Manager Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
insisted Meyler would not be rushed back to first team action. He returned surprisingly away to Fulham, featuring for 52 minutes in a 0–0 draw. On January 5, 2011, Meyler pulled up suddenly and was stretchered off in Sunderland's away match at 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...
. It was revealed after the game by Steve Bruce
Steve Bruce
Stephen Roger "Steve" Bruce is an English football manager and former player. Born in Corbridge, Northumberland, he was a promising schoolboy footballer but was rejected by a number of professional clubs. He was on the verge of quitting the game altogether when he was offered a trial with Gillingham...
that Meyler suffered cruciate ligament damage to the same knee as before. It was later announced by Sunderland that Meyler had a scan on the knee and had torn his medial ligament. This ruled Meyler out for another 10 weeks at least rather than 6 months which was first feared. Meyler returned to the Sunderland bench for their defeat at Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on 16 April 2011.
International career
He made his international debut in Cork for the Ireland U21sIreland national football team
-Association football :* Ireland national football team , the Irish Football Association's original all-island team; first played in 1882...
against Germany in February 2009.
He had been selected for the Republic of Ireland senior squad when his first knee injury struck, forcing him to withdraw.